In the wake of the blockbuster Kyrie Irving trade to the Celtics, ESPN’s Marc Spears revealed an enticing little nugget. Koby Altman, Cleveland’s young general manager, dialed up the Warriors to see if they’d swap Irving for Klay Thompson.
12 very serious questions about the Kyrie Irving for Klay Thompson trade rumor
They are not serious questions and this is not a serious rumor.
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
The Warriors were “uninterested,” according to Spears.
Was this a serious trade offer?
Highly doubtful. Teams make exploratory calls like this all the time. It does not mean that Klay Thompson is in trade rumors.
Was there any chance this trade was ever going to happen?
No.
Why bother, then?
May as well ask. What’s the worst that can happen? The Warriors say no? Cool. Back to where you started.
Well, what about how that information got leaked to the press?
Whatever. I think Altman’s reputation will be fine. He did OK in the end, after all.
Can I still imagine Kyrie Irving on the Warriors?
Sure! Indulge those trade machine fantasies! It is kind of funny to imagine Kyrie and Stephen Curry playing together.
Is this actually a fair trade?
Um, no. Kyrie serves no purpose on the Warriors and Klay is perfect just where he is.
Who’s the better player, though?
It depends.
That’s all you’re giving me?
Yep. Sorry.
(Fine. The Cliffnotes answer is that Kyrie is better for teams that need shot creation and Klay is better for teams that already have it.)
Can I still make this trade in 2K?
If you want.
Will Klay stay with the Warriors forever? Can I still imagine him on his own team?
His contract is up in 2019, at which point he’ll need to decide if he enjoys being a key cog for a historically great team or wants the new challenge of being the face of a not-as-good team. Given the Warriors’ high payroll in the future, it’s a looming question that could break up the best top four in NBA history.
But that doesn’t mean he’s going anywhere now, right?
Right. We can worry about Klay’s future when the future comes and not a moment sooner.
It’s still funny that the Cavaliers asked the Warriors if they wanted Kyrie Irving, though
Yeah. It is funny! Just don’t take their request seriously.
See More:
