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NBA: The perfect trade that never happened – Kyrie Irving for Jimmy Butler

By Ryan Piers

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers is defended by Patrick McCaw #0 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half in Game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 12, 2017 in Oakland, California. 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. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers is defended by Patrick McCaw #0 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half in Game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 12, 2017 in Oakland, California. 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. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Taking a deeper dive into the perfect NBA trade that never happened – a Kyrie Irving for Jimmy Butler swap that would’ve made sense for all parties

In an offseason with more plot twists than an M. Night Shyamalan movie, the most unexpected news came from Cleveland. After three deep playoff runs, Kyrie Irving wants out of “The Land.”

The announcement followed a stretch of free agent signings and unexpected trades, an excess amount by even the NBA’s standards. But Irving’s announcement was probably most stunning.

Prior to LeBron James’ return, Irving was the center piece of the Cleveland Cavaliers rebuild. Despite multiple miserable seasons, he never made a peep. Now paired with James and Kevin Love, Irving already has one ring and appears primed for multiple title chases. Especially with a paltry Eastern Conference.

Then, out of the blue, he demands a trade. Unfortunately, for both the Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls, it was too late.

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The Bulls weren’t on Irving’s short list of requested teams. But then again, the list seemed quite peculiar. Irving wants to be the franchise guy, yet he listed Minnesota and San Antonio as desired destinations. In both cities, he’d play second fiddle to established superstars.

He desires to play in the Big Apple, but the Knicks already belong to Kristaps Porzingas. That leaves only the Miami Heat, who would relish the opportunity to build around Irving.

But another team desired a center piece, an offensive point guard to help to anchor a contending roster. That team is the Chicago Bulls. And they would have forked over the perfect asset to partner with James, Jimmy Butler.

Butler for Irving would have been the perfect trade, from both a logistics and monetary stand point, that never happened. The deal would assist both parties in reaching their desired destinations; another title for the Cavs and an expedited rebuild for the Bulls.

Now that we know Irving wants out of Cleveland, it should have happened.

First, Chicago. The Bulls bought point guards in bulk following the Derrick Rose departure. They test drove Jerian Grant, Isaiah Canaan, signed Rajon Rondo, and overpaid for Cameron Payne. Denzel Valentine even got a spin as the primary ball handler.

The Bulls front office threw everything at the wall, hoping a franchise point guard would stick. Because a Butler-centered team didn’t appear to be getting them to a title. So the Bulls dealt him, for high upside Kris Dunn and pieces. But the more logical target was Irving.

Two years younger than Butler, Irving’s ceiling is the hire of the two. His offensive skillset it more diverse and he appears to be only improving, coming off a career year. His skillset perfectly fits Fred Hoiberg’s offense; a run-and-gun point guard that can shoot threes and push the tempo. Irving was sixth in the league in field goal attempts last year. In Hoiberg’s system, he’d likely break the top five.

Irving is a guy the Bulls can build around. He provides more youth than the heavily-used Butler and is perfect player for the Bulls current brand of basketball. The fit is impeccable.

On the other hand, Butler is ideal for Cavaliers. Talks of Jimmy “Buckets” being dealt to the Cavaliers swirled prior to the draft, and for good reason. The Warriors backcourt torched the Cavs in the NBA Finals, and that’s with the bizarrely horrid shooting performance from Klay Thompson. Guarded primarily by Irving and J.R. Smith, Curry nearly averaged a triple-double. Shaun Livingston, Ian Clark and in the series biggest game, Patrick McCaw, performed well.

With James focused on Durant, the Cavaliers were exposed. Butler provides an answer to the Warriors backcourt, with the ability to match up on Thompson or Curry. And he’s hardly a drop off from Irving offensively. In fact, he might be an improvement.

Butler’s offensive rating was 11 points higher than Irving’s last year, according to Basketball Reference. His three-point percentage from the corner, where James teammates are most useful, was about 18 percentage points higher than Irving’s. Butler is the perfect drive-and-kick pair for LeBron.

Butler outperformed Irving by almost every offensive measurable possible. With the exception of points; but then again Butler shot the ball about four less times than Irving.

The point being, Butler, not Irving, would immediately improve the Cavaliers. Based on win shares, Jimmy would have actually netted the Cavs about five more victories last year than the Cavaliers point guard. And maybe he’s the defensive stalwart that would help the Cavs matchup with the Warriors next season.

Butler, a prodigy of Thom Thibodeau, has more miles on his body than most players. Under Thibs, he often paced the league in minutes played and magically-tracked miles traveled per game. So his window his short, but so is the Cavs. Assuming he’s at least half human, LeBron likely has three or four more prime years. Ditto for Butler.

Irving, on the other hand, might be three years from reaching his potential. Or he might be there now. Either way, by trading Irving for prospects, the Cavs just get younger and potentially waste their best shot at winning a title with LeBron.

With Butler, they’re back in the saddle.

And the Bulls aren’t, or weren’t, winning a title with their small forward. But they got question marks in return. Irving is great now, is a popular player who can recruit, and is only improving. Perfect for a team looking to get younger.

Must Read: NBA front office masters: Finding the winners of the offseason

You might be wondering about the money. Both Butler and Irving were making just under $19 million a year. And both have two more years left on their current contracts

If that isn’t a sign this trade was supposed to go down, I don’t what is. Alas the perfect deal wasn’t made. The Bulls are stuck without bonafide star. The Cavs could lose Irving for projects and aren’t any closer to beating Golden State

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