Nothin' But Nets
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3 high-profile dark horse trade destinations for Kyrie Irving

By Jordanna Clark

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 03: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets follows the action from the bench during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on October 3, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 03: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets follows the action from the bench during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on October 3, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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Denver Nuggets, Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets. (Photo by Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports) /

The Brooklyn Nets are a little over a fourth of the way through the regular season, and point guard Kyrie Irving is still unvaccinated. Before the start of the year, Brooklyn decided that Irving wouldn’t be allowed to be a part-time player. With Irving maintaining his holdout, the Nets need to look into trading the seven-time All-Star given the clear shortcomings this team has faced.

It doesn’t appear as if New York City is going to lift its local mandate anytime soon and, according to Shams Charania, Irving doesn’t plan on receiving the vaccine and will only play basketball again if he’s traded.

The Irving situation presents a tough case for the Nets. He’s an elite point guard but isn’t doing Brooklyn any favors by lurking in the shadows. It’s his choice to remain unvaccinated, but the Nets need to further explore trade partners for Irving in the meantime.

The trade deadline is Feb. 10, a little over two months away. If Sean Marks wants to boost Brooklyn’s offensive production and relieve Kevin Durant, it’d be in the organization’s best interest to trade Irving to a market that of course doesn’t have a vaccine mandate. And some these contenders that haven’t exactly been linked to the former NBA champion might be among the best landing spots. Time to start discussing these!

3 high-profile dark horse trade destinations for Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving

3. Denver Nuggets

Denver’s off to a 10-11 start to the season and 2020-21 MVP Nikola Jokic leads the Nuggets in points (25.7), rebounds (13.8), assists (6.4), steals (1.2), and blocks (0.8) per game. He’s missed five of Denver’s 21 games, but the Nuggets could help their star center out by adding Irving into the mix.

The team’s starting point guard is Monte Morris, who’s averaging 11.9 points and 4.2 assists per game. Denver’s currently ranked No. 18 in offensive rating (107.4). The Nuggets are averaging 103.6 points per game, which is good for 26th in the NBA, and the team’s offensive production drops whenever Jokic’s not on the floor.

With Denver being in the middle of a stacked Western Conference, Irving could be exactly what the Nuggets need to be able to compete with teams like Phoenix and Golden State. Irving’s addition would also relieve Jokic, who most recently sat out four games with a wrist injury.

Denver’s going to need Jokic to be at his best for a playoff run, which is where Irving would come in. Irving’s ability to score and facilitate would add a much-needed element to this Nuggets’ roster since we won’t be seeing Jamal Murray this year.

Denver has five first-round picks over the next eight years that could aid in bringing Irving to the Mile High City. It wouldn’t be impossible for a deal to get done, and NBA fans would probably love to see Irving play alongside Jokic.