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NBA Trade Prediction Sends Former Duke Star Kyrie Irving to East Power
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- NBA Trade Prediction Sends Former Duke Star Kyrie Irving to East Power
(Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)
The Duke Blue Devils basketball program has been one of the better ones across the country over the years, with them getting all kinds of star talent coming in.
Duke has developed multiple players well over time, sending the NBA plenty of superstars in the process. But one of the better players over the last 20 years from the Blue Devils has been star guard Kyrie Irving.
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Irving only played one season at Duke, but he has become one of the better point guards in the entire NBA. The now-veteran guard was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Over his career, Irving has won one NBA title, while making nine All-Star teams. Irving is one of the more talented players to ever play in the league, and Duke is credited with helping his game grow.
Now with the Dallas Mavericks, Irving has been tasked with trying to get the franchise back to the postseason. But given where Dallas is and how talented the Western Conference is this season, it could be tough.
There have been trade rumors around Irving all summer, and the Mavericks could elect to move him at some point. Dallas is 4-2 on the season so far, but this team wants to fully rebuild around star forward Cooper Flagg , with Irving not being on the same timeline.
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In a new trade proposal from NBA analyst Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report , Irving is sent to a top team in the Eastern Conference. Hughes has Irving being traded to the Detroit Pistons, moving him back to playing for a true contender.
Here is how the trade proposal would look, according to Hughes:
Pistons land:Kyrie Irving, Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Mavericks Land:Ron Holland II, Kevin Huerter, Jock Landale, Isaiah Joe, 2029 first-round swap (via DET), 2031 first-round swap (via DET)
Hawks Land:John Collins*; Duncan Robinson; unprotected first-round picks in 2028, 2030, and 2032 (via DET); 2032 second-round pick (via ATL)
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Would This Be Good For Kyrie Irving?
Going to Detroit from the Mavericks would be a change for Irving, but the veteran guard would have a chance to compete for a title again. The Pistons were the best team in the Eastern Conference last season, but they were missing a scoring presence behind star Cade Cunningham.
Irving could be that guy for this team, while bringing in more veteran leadership. Detroit could make their offense even stronger with Irving, helping to space out the floor with more shooters.
But Irving would take some of the brunt off Cunningham, making this deal worthwhile for the Pistons. Overall, if Detroit were to land the former Duke star, it could be mutually beneficial for each side.
