Report: Irving Names Knicks, Heat, Spurs, Timberwolves as Preferred Destinations

Shortly after ESPN’s Brian Windhorst rreported Kyrie Irving is requesting to be traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers to become a number one option, Chris Haynes revealed a list of four teams he’d like to play for.

ESPN Sources: On Kyrie Irving front, Cavs were given four preferred landing spots: New York, Miami, San Antonio, Minnesota.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 21, 2017

The Cavs have been interested in trading for Carmelo Anthony, but any trade involving Irving would logically have to include more value in the deal.

San Antonio’s number one option is Kawhi Leonard and few would expect the Spurs to include him in a trade.

Minnesota’s recent acquisition of Jimmy Butler puts the Timberwolves among the most talented teams in the Western Conference, but to acquire Irving, it would likely involve either Andrew Wiggins, Karl Anthony-Towns or Butler – none of whom would be easy to part with from Minnesota’s standpoint.

Miami’s star player is Hassan Whiteside – who by himself is probably not an attractive enough option to trade Irving for.

Irving does not have any veto power over trades, so the Cavaliers do not have to send him to any of the four “preferred landing spots” if they decide to trade him.

We’ll continue to monitor this situation as more reports surface.