NBA insider Tim Bontemps says the Detroit Pistons should pursue Kyrie Irving, calling him the "exactly who they need."
NBA insider Tim Bontemps believes the Detroit Pistons could transform into true contenders if they pursued Kyrie Irving, even with questions about his health.
Speaking on the idea of improving Detroit's roster, Bontemps made it clear that a veteran star like Irving would be the perfect complement to the team's young core.
"I'll tell you, the guy that I really want the Pistons to get—who they probably can't get, and I don't know what his health status would be—the guy they need is Kyrie Irving," Bontemps said on The Hoop Collective.
"That's the call I'd be making. Kyrie Irving, the realized version of Kyrie Irving, playing next to Cade like he played next to Luka, like he played next to LeBron, as a proven playoff scorer. That is exactly right. I mean, that's who they need.”
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Bontemps highlighted how pairing Irving with Cade Cunningham could give Detroit both elite scoring and playoff experience.
Irving, 33, is rehabbing from a torn ACL suffered last season but remains a proven winner, having starred alongside LeBron James in Cleveland's 2016 NBA Finals victory and more recently playing a key role with Luka Doncic in the Finals.
Financially, a trade could be possible under NBA rules. The Pistons could package Duncan Robinson, Jaden Ivey, Caris LeVert, and a minimum contract to Dallas in exchange for Irving, Dwight Powell, and Brandon Williams.
Depending on Irving's trade value, additional teams or draft compensation could also be involved to make the deal work.
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