Magic Should Trade For Kyrie Irving, Says Orlando Radio Hosts

Kyrie Irving wants out from the Brooklyn Nets. Why should the Orlando Magic call them up?

Jeremy Brener | Feb 3, 2023

Magic Should Trade For Kyrie Irving, Says Orlando Radio Hosts /

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving is officially on the block after requesting to be dealt ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.

Irving, a starter in this month's NBA All-Star Game, is averaging 27.1 points, 5.3 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game this season.

All 29 other teams would love to add Irving's talent, but it isn't as simple as it sounds. Irving is a free agent at season's end and there's no guarantee that he would re-sign with whichever team acquires him at the deadline. And that doesn't even mention the off-court baggage he's brought along with him over the years.

The Orlando Magic may be the last team on the trade radar for Irving, but that didn't stop 96.9 FM The Game from discussing the possibility of acquiring the eight-time All-Star and why it would benefit the team.

"I really think that what he brings to the table can change the fortunes of the franchise in a very quick way," radio host Brandon Kravitz said.

Irving is expected to be targeted by teams competing for a championship this year, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns, so that rules the Magic out as a potential option given the team's rebuilding situation. But Irving would be one of the first premier players to call Orlando home in over a decade.

"Knowing how Magic ownership and the front office rolls, this is completely far fetched to even bring up, but we'd be talking about the biggest ball-handling star to play in Orlando since Tracy McGrady," Mike Tozzi wrote.

While Tozzi is right that a move to bring Irving in would be completely far fetched, trading for him would put Orlando back on the basketball map. However, the Magic hopes to do just that by developing two-time Rookie of the Month Paolo Banchero and building a strong, tight-knit team around him and Franz Wagner.

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Published Feb 3, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.