Should Nuggets trade for Irving? And Durant?
With Kyrie Irving asking for Brooklyn to trade him, I went to work on the NBA trade machine. How about the Nuggets swap Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr. and Bones Hyland for Kevin Durant and Irving? Would you do it?
I’d do it in a second. This trade would automatically make this a championship season for the Nuggets. Nobody in the NBA is beating a Denver starting five of Durant, Nikola Jokic, Irving, Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell- Pope. You lose Irving to free agency after this season, then build around a Big Three of K. D., Joker and A. G.
— Nick, wannabe G. M.
KIZ>> Well, the staff here at Kickin’ It Headquarters certainly must give you points for bold thinking. But Nuggets coach Michael Malone is a nononsense guy, so we also fear his head might explode trying to deal with the big egos and many moods of Durant and Irving. Your modest proposal, however, does inspire a serious question: In a one- for- one deal, would you trade the hefty contract and uncertain future health of Porter for a single playoff run from Irving?
HYLAND FAN>> I love Bones. I’ll be sad if the Nuggets trade him. He’s a bright light. We already have a championship- caliber team. Is someone new really going to be the reason we finally win a championship? Uh, no.
— Pauletta, Denver
KIZ>> It’s time for Bones to get Bizzy in another NBA city. He wants the rock more than a ring.
COLORADO ALL- STARS>> Kiz, I would love to see your ranking of the greatest active athletes in Colorado. My rankings: No. 1, skier Mikaela Shiffrin; No. 2, Jokic; No. 3, Avs defenseman Cale Makar; No. 4, Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II, and No. 5, Rockies outfielder Kris Bryant ( if ever healthy).
— Ian, making a list
KIZ>> Jokic is the two- time MVP, not to mention the best player ever to wear a Nuggets uniform. But Shiffrin is the GOAT, the greatest skier, male or female, to hit the slopes. Take into account she’s a Colorado native and I’m ready to nominate Shiffrin as the greatest athlete our fair state has ever produced.
AV- SOLUTELY>> Kiz, I don’t usually agree with any word coming out of your mouth, but suggesting the Avalanche trade for Ryan O’reilly might be the best thing you have ever written. I have consistently believed the best fit for the Avs at 2C is O’reilly. He’s one of the top face- off guys in the NHL, which Nathan Mackinnon will never be, and is an overall team weakness. If the Avs can get past the history with O’reilly, he can help us win another Stanley Cup. — Paul, Atlanta
KIZ>> The Nuggets are + 700 to win the NBA championship, while the Avs are + 750 to win the Cup, according to the current odds posted by Fanduel. Which way are you betting?
CONGRATULATIONS>> And today’s parting shot is a much- appreciated salute.
Kiz, congratulations on being named Colorado Sportswriter of the Year for 2022! Through these many years of terrible Broncos football since Peyton Manning retired, the only things that have kept me going through the disappointment, discouragement and frustration are your columns and the clever headlines on Monday after a Broncos loss. — Peggy, loyal reader