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Denver Nuggets: Three trades to bring Kyrie Irving to Denver

By Kevin Oestreicher

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 29: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics plays defense against the Denver Nuggets on January 29, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 29: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics plays defense against the Denver Nuggets on January 29, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – JANUARY 29: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets on January 29, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – JANUARY 29: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets on January 29, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Trade #3:

In this deal, the Nuggets would again bring in Irving and power forward Marcus Morris, only this time, they’d be sending back their prized free agent acquisition from last year.

The Celtics don’t need a point guard in return for Irving, as they could re-sign both Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart to be the team’s point guard. Instead, they can look to acquire other assets at positions of need.

The Nuggets giving up Millsap would be hard to swallow. He got hurt very early in the season, and didn’t return until the season was more than halfway over.

He looked rusty at times, and Nuggets fans never got to see him at his best, and is also an outstanding defender, something that Denver needs. Getting back Marcus Morris would make the blow easier to withstand, as he’d step into Millsap’s spot and contribute right away.

Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez are both young guys who have tons of potential, but don’t see the court due to the depth that the Nuggets have.

Packaging them to acquire a talent like Irving would be smart, as although they both have potential, they don’t have as much of a use for Denver at this point.

Giving up Millsap and not Jamal Murray or Gary Harris means that Irving would play point guard, Murray would move over to shooting guard, and Harris would slide to small forward. This lineup would be a smaller lineup among the NBA, but it would work. Harris can hold his own against taller players, while Murray would be back in his more natural position, with an all-star running the show at point guard.

Acquiring Irving would let the rest of the NBA know that Denver is serious about contending. If he stayed healthy and played to the best of his ability, the Nuggets would be hard to beat.

Next: Nugg Love's top 10 defenders in NBA history

There’s no guarantee the Celtics trade him, but it wouldn’t hurt if Denver picked up the phone and asked. It would take a lot, but if they can get him, they should.