The Sacramento Kings have joined the chase for point guard Kyrie Irving, who recently asked for a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers. According to Sam Amico of Amico Hoops, the Kings are prepared to offer rookie point guard De’Aaron Fox to the Cavaliers for Irving. Amico added that the Kings may throw in center Kosta Koufos to help make the salaries match. Irving is expected to earn around $19 million in the coming season.
The Kings took Fox with fifth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft but they also signed veteran point guard George Hill to a three-year, $57 million deal.
Offering Hill may not attract the Cavaliers but Fox will certainly get their attention. However, the Kings are not one of the four preferred trade destinations given by Irving to the Cavaliers. The four are the San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, New York Knicks and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Irving surprised the NBA world when he asked for a trade, saying he wants to become the focal point of a team’s offense and he’s tired of playing in the shadow of LeBron James. James, for his part, said he was blindsided by Irving’s decision. It was reported that Irving met with team owner Dan Gilbert on July 7 and requested a trade.
Suns, Knicks, Cavs working on trade for Irving
Jordan Schultz of Yahoo! Sports reported that the Cavaliers, New York Knicks, and the Phoenix Suns are working on a three-team trade involving Irving.
If the deal is ironed out, Irving and Suns center Tyson Chandler will go to New York, Carmelo Antony and Eric Bledsoe will be shipped to the Cavaliers and the Suns will get Cavs power forward Kevin Love and rookie point guard Frank Ntilikina. In addition, the Cavs and Suns will also receive future picks.
Wolves also chasing Irving
Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported that Timberwolves stars Jimmy Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns have told the Wolves to work out a trade for Irving. Windhorst added that Butler and Towns have been convincing Irving to join the Timberwolves and form their own “Big Three” to be able to compete in a tough Western Conference side.
Irving and Butler became good friends during their time with USA Basketball. In fact, Irving expressed interest to be traded to the Chicago Bulls but changed his mind at the last minute when Butler was shipped to the Timberwolves on Draft Day. However, the Wolves are in a quandary because they cannot trade veteran point guard Jeff Teague until December 15 as he recently signed a three-year deal worth $57 million in the offseason.
