Why Kyrie Irving Is The Missing Piece For The Bulls

Kyrie Irving has been one of the most talented yet controversial players in the NBA since entering the league in 2011. Fans often question if he’s worth the headache he brings with him to each franchise he represents, and recently the continued antics have discounted his asking price in a trade to be cheaper than ever before. The seven-time all-star has averaged over 26 points per game on 47% shooting or better each of the last three seasons with Brooklyn. The catch, he’s only played in 103 of the possible 246 contests due to injuries, suspension, and his choosing to sit out in support of social injustice. How would he fare in the Windy City?

Sparkplug On Offense

The Chicago Bulls are last in the NBA in three-point shots attempted per game and are middle of the pack in how well they shoot them. They’ve only got four players taking over 3.0 attempts per game, three of which are shooting at or below 34.5% from deep. While Kyrie Irving is shooting a career-worst 32.5% from three this season, two things are true. He has splashed home over 40% of his shots from three-point territory in five of his last six seasons, and this season, he’s attempting more threes than he ever has before. A scorer of all-NBA pedigree and an elite playmaker would open more opportunities for surrounding shooters and allow his attempts to fall within a comfortable five-to-eight per contest range similar to the rest of his illustrious career.

Kyrie Irving has also averaged 5.7 assists per game across his career, and while the Bulls are missing Lonzo Ball and a true point guard, he would immediately be the best facilitator on the roster. No Chicago Bulls average over 5.0 assists per game, and only two have an assist-to-turnover ratio of over 2.0. With shooting guard Zach Lavine in and out of the lineup and rookie Ayo Dosunmu not at the facilitating level of a starting NBA point guard, a fresh face in the backcourt would be welcomed and impactful for a poor offensive team that is sub-.500 through the first fourth of the 2022-23’ season.

Risk To Reward Ratio

Bringing in a polarizing player at the level of Kyrie Irving comes with some baggage, and it’s not all sunshine and roses if he’s headed to town. Fresh off of an eight-game suspension for his anti-Semitic social media post and reaffirmations in the following press conference, Irving seems to have left most of his troubles behind him. Missing games due to his vaccination status clashing with state law and various injuries over the years account for most of his absences from the court. Still, there seems to be a looming concern that he could miss more time on a moment’s notice due to his extreme personality and passionate stance when faced with social or political issues. Missing over 50% of the possible games over his last four seasons and never having played over 72 games in a single season in his career, the concern is justifiable for potential landing spots.

On the court, Irving would have one major concern needing rectifying in a Chicago Bulls uniform. His defense is atrocious, and while the Bulls roster is full of perimeter defenders, his would-be running mate Zach Lavine also lacks sorely in that category. The former Duke Blue Devil point guard has only ranked above average for qualifying point guards in defensive rating once in his 12-year career. In the 2016-17’ season, in which he played the most games in his career (72), he ranked 13^th worst out of 652 guards in the three-year span. Head coach Billy Donovan would have to get creative on playing him alongside guards like Alex Caruso, who ranks second in the NBA in deflections this season and can help alleviate the weak spot that Irving would be on the floor.

Make It Happen

The Chicago Bulls front office would need to offer some young talent, draft capital, and aging contracts to afford the Net’s guard. Bench pieces Derrick Jones Jr. and Coby White would need to be included; some youth and depth could entice the Nets to move on from Irving and start to build for the future. White would also make an excellent catch-and-shoot weapon off the bench for Brooklyn while shooting nearly 42% from three over his past ten games. Lonzo Ball would have to be headed out next, primarily for contractual reasons and Irving’s $36-million-dollar price tag, but also because the younger and more team-oriented guard Ball could offer a Brooklyn team facilitating and defense that Kyrie Irving cannot provide. Draft picks would have to fill the rest of the void, and it would most likely take Chicago’s 2024 first-round selection at the minimum and probably a future second-rounder as well.

In any case, the Brooklyn Nets would have to be willing to absorb some of Kyrie Irving’s contract, and after unrelenting drama since arriving, they may be willing to. After failing to sign a long-term extension this off-season and an apparent disdain on both sides, if the Nets believe they can get anything out of the former NBA Champion, they certainly will. With the Bulls racing for a ring and the Nets assessing their future, this could be a golden opportunity for both sides to make out for the better headed into the postseason and 2023 off-season. While it is a long shot, this would jolt the stalling 9-11 Bulls into Championship contention and urgency overnight.