Kyrie Irving lists Timberwolves as a preferred destination

Kyrie Irving told the Cavaliers he no longer wants to play with LeBron James. Could the Timberwolves be the team that trades for him?

In this weeks shocking NBA news the team that has gone to the Finals three years in a row is going through a tough offseason that just got worse. The Cleveland Cavaliers haven’t signed any significant new players to bolster their Finals chances this year. Today it has leaked that Kyrie Irving has requested a trade out of Cleveland in his meetings with the team last week.

Kyrie Irving is one of the top five point guards in the NBA and is still only 25 years old. He has stated that he wants to be a bigger focal point of the offense. Irving has been living in LeBron James‘ shadow since James’ return to Cleveland in 2014.

Although Kyrie still averaged over 25 points a game last season, James consistently brings the ball up the court and runs the offense. Irving is one of the most explosive offense players in the NBA and has continually been called the hardest man to guard.

In the Cavaliers inevitable Game 7 Finals win in 2016, Kyrie hit the game-winning shot. Uncle Drew was able to get off the shot over Steph Curry and put the Cavs up for good with 53 seconds left in the game. Irving is clutch and can score from anywhere on the court.

Although he doesn’t have a no trade clause he has let the Cavaliers know his preferred landing spots:

Timberwolves second chance at Irving.

Irving was the first pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Cavaliers. The Minnesota Timberwolves had the highest odds to land the first pick that year but ended up drafting second and selecting Derrick Williams out of Arizona. Could the Timberwolves terrible lottery luck come full circle to give them the player fans hoped for in 2011?

For all Minnesota sports fans it is weird to hear a professional athlete to say one of their preferred destinations is Minnesota. It’s a whole different story to hear a top-10 NBA player say that. There is only one issue, the Timberwolves don’t have much to trade.

More from Sporting Sota

• Minnesota Twins bullpen will be their downfall
• Top 5 Minnesota Twins Pitching Prospects
• Kyle Rudolph signing gives stability to Minnesota Vikings offense
• Jake Odorizzi’s emergence fueling Twins starting staff
• Former Minnesota Twins player David Ortiz shot

In order to complete a deal for Irving it would likely require Andrew Wiggins heading back to the team that originally drafted him in 2014. The Timberwolves are unable to trade Jeff Teague until December 15th so both teams would have to wait to make a deal including him.

My dream trade scenario is Jeff Teague, Gorgui Dieng, along with a couple future first round picks for Irving. The key word is “dream” as Cleveland holds the power to trade him to whichever team provides them with the greatest return. The Timberwolves also don’t hold a future first round pick until 2020.

Fans should take this news as a sign that the Timberwolves have become a destination team for talent in the NBA. However, as every Minnesota fan knows you can’t get too excited about an upcoming season so lets take this next year one game at a time; with, or without Kyrie Irving running the point.

Next: Timberwolves working on extension with Wiggins

Sporting Sota is your home for all things Minnesota sports! Keep it here for all your Minnesota Timberwolves, Lynx, Gophers, Wild, Twins and Vikings needs!