As we all already well know, Kyrie Irving is no longer a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The biggest story of this offseason finally ended earlier this week as it was announced that Irving was traded to the Boston Celtics. It seems the Cavaliers got the best possible deal for their All-Star point guard, considering all the pieces they received in return from Boston.
The Celtics sent Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and Brooklyn's 2018 first round pick in exchange for Kyrie Irving and many believe that Cleveland actually won this trade. But what would've happened if the Cavaliers hadn't sent Irving to Boston?
Could they have gotten a better deal from some other team? It's obvious that almost every team in the NBA would welcome having the All-Star point guard on its roster and the Cavs reportedly had received at least 20 different trade offers before they traded Irving. Milwaukee Bucks were also one of the teams to provide the Cavaliers an interesting package.
The Bucks were hoping to land Irving
John Gambadoro of Arizonasports.com reported that the Milwaukee Bucks offered Khris Middleton, Malcolm Brogdon and a first round pick for Irving. Reportedly, this offer was interesting to the Cavaliers, but it's now clear that Boston's offer was way better. But what if the Cavs accepted the Bucks' offer and sent Irving to Milwaukee?
Can you imagine Kyrie Irving on the same team with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker? That would've been special to see.
The deal would've also made the Bucks a serious contender in the Eastern Conference for many years to come, and it seems this might've been one of the biggest reasons that made Cleveland decline the offer.
Bucks finished sixth last season in the Eastern Conference standings but were bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the Toronto Raptors. They have a talented, young team and a great coach in Jason Kidd and their best player Antetokounmpo has turned into a superstar over the past few years.
What would have the Cavs gotten
Had the deal between the Cavaliers and the Bucks gone through, Cleveland would have acquired some good, young talent in the likes of Khris Middleton and Malcolm Brogdon. Also, the Bucks were ready to send their 2018 first round pick, but it obviously wasn't enough. Middleton is a 26-year-old, 6-foot-8 small forward with good shooting skills, especially from the three-point line. He averaged 14.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game last season with Milwaukee and shot 43 percent from behind the arc.
Middleton would've easily fit in the Cavaliers offense with his great shooting abilities. Malcolm Brogdon, on the other hand, is a 24-year-old point guard drafted by Milwaukee in 2016.
He was named the Rookie of the Year last season with the Bucks as he averaged 10.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game in his first season in the NBA. While Brogdon is a great, young talent, the Cavs were looking for an experienced player to help them right away. While this was an interesting offer for the Cavaliers, it's safe to say now that they made a better deal with the Boston Celtics.
