San Antonio Spurs point guard Patty Mills expressed his view on Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star playmaker Kyrie Irving’s recent trade demand that shook the NBA scene and shocked basketball fans all over the world. When he met with Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, Irving mentioned the Spurs as one of his preferred destinations. He also listed the New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Miami Heat.
Mills, who is expected to start with veteran Tony Parker still recovering from an injury, told Sporting News that with many reports surfacing about Irving, “you never know which ones are true and which ones aren't.” Mills is aware that playing time will diminish if Irving joins the Spurs but said he will be a welcome addition to the team “being an All-Star point guard." The Australian point guard added that he will let the organization handle the issue and accept whatever comes of it.
"So we just got to work out to see if that actually happens or not,” said Mills, who cannot be included in trade talks involving Irving until December 15 because he recently signed a four-year, $50 million deal to stay with the Spurs this off-season.
Spurs stacked with playmakers
The Spurs are loaded with guards with Parker, Mills, Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, and Bryn Forbes on the roster. The Spurs tried to sign Chris Paul from the Los Angeles Clippers as a potential replacement for Parker. However, he was traded to the Houston Rockets for Sam Dekker, Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, DeAndre Liggins, Darrun Hilliard, Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Wiltjer, and a top-three-protected 2018 first-round pick.
Aldridge, Green to Cavs for Irving?
The Spurs may trade disgruntled power forward LaMarcus Aldridge and Danny Green to the Spurs for Irving. The Spurs signed Aldridge in 2015 as the heir-apparent to Tim Duncan. In his first season under coach Gregg Popovich, Aldridge tallied 18.0 points and 8.5 boards per game but his output dropped to 17.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game the following season.
During last season’s playoffs, the Spurs looked to Aldridge as their main man after Kawhi Leonard suffered an ankle injury. However, Aldridge failed to deliver, tallying just 15.5 points and 5.8 boards as the Spurs were swept by the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. Green, for his part, averaged 7.3 points and 3.3 rebounds last season. Aldridge is set to earn $21.4 million next season, while Green is in line for a $10 million payday.
