“You can’t trust him to show up to work, but once he’s at work, I’ll take him over 90% of the league” - Stephen A Smith's brutally honest take on whether New York Knicks should pursue Kyrie Irving

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Brooklyn Nets v New York Knicks

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith claimed he would offer Kyrie Irving to the New York Knicks if it were up to him. Smith, a longtime Knicks fan, believes the franchise is in a rut and should trade for Irving to try and solve its problems.

However, he also expressed concerns regarding the dynamic guard's availability. He said the Knicks should only go after Irving if he agrees to a one-year deal. Here's what he said on ESPN's First Take:

"Look man, desperate times call for desperate measures. This brother is a superstar talent, he is box office. I'm sorry now don't get me wrong, let's not get beside myself, ain't no way in hell I'm giving him more than one year at a time in terms of guaranteed dollars."

Smith added:

"You cannot give Kyrie Irving a guaranteed contract 'cause you can't trust him. You can't trust him to show up to work, but once he's at work, I'll take him over 90% of the league, it might be higher than that. He is that spectacular."

The New York Knicks are rumored to be one of the teams interested in pursuing Kyrie Irving should he decide to leave the Brooklyn Nets this offseason.

Irving has a $36 million player option for next season. If he declines that, he will become an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team.

Bleacher Report

@BleacherReport

Kyrie Irving and the Nets are ‘at impasse’ that clears the way for him to test the open market, per @ShamsCharania

The Lakers and Knicks are expected to be suitors

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Kyrie Irving and the Nets are ‘at impasse’ that clears the way for him to test the open market, per @ShamsCharania

The Lakers and Knicks are expected to be suitors https://t.co/LnAgFks2yB

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New York Knicks desperately need a superstar signing and Kyrie Irving could be that player

The New York Knicks have been waiting to make a big offseason move. They had cap space last summer but used it to extend the contracts of Julius Randle, Derrick Rose, Nerlens Noel and Alec Burks. The Knicks also signed free agents Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier.

New York doesn't have the cap space to sign Kyrie Irving as a free agent, so they will have to move contracts to make that happen. They could also wait and see if Brooklyn engages in sign-and-trades.

Fred Katz

@FredKatz

In case you're wondering how a Kyrie Irving-to-the-Knicks deal could even work, my story from today lays it out: twitter.com/FredKatz/statu…

Fred Katz

@FredKatz

Kyrie would command the max. The Knicks are over the cap. But that hasn’t stopped teams before when they want a guy badly enough.

Story on reported interest in Irving & what the Knicks would have to do to make it happen ($1/mo subscription offer inside): theathletic.com/3373903/2022/0…

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Kyrie would command the max. The Knicks are over the cap. But that hasn’t stopped teams before when they want a guy badly enough.

Story on reported interest in Irving & what the Knicks would have to do to make it happen ($1/mo subscription offer inside): theathletic.com/3373903/2022/0… https://t.co/1ih6RF1N2a

In case you're wondering how a Kyrie Irving-to-the-Knicks deal could even work, my story from today lays it out: twitter.com/FredKatz/statu…

Irving's addition will likely make the Knicks a playoff team. It could also attract other stars to the Madison Square Garden, something the New York Knicks have been eagerly waiting for.

Knicks Videos

@sny_knicks

Sources around Kyrie Irving have seen the Knicks as a potential destination should he leave the Nets.

What would have to happen for Kyrie to become a Knick? And what other options does New York have? on.sny.tv/gv3roJd

(@IanBegley)

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Sources around Kyrie Irving have seen the Knicks as a potential destination should he leave the Nets.

What would have to happen for Kyrie to become a Knick? And what other options does New York have? on.sny.tv/gv3roJd

(@IanBegley) https://t.co/IicacwM5tW

However, Kyrie Irving has missed more games than he has played during his tenure with the Brooklyn Nets. The former NBA champion isn't reliable. That could be an issue for the Knicks, who will have to get crafty when freeing up the cap space to sign Irving.

NBA India

@NBAIndia

Ain't nobody can handle @KyrieIrving's handles ‍♂

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Ain't nobody can handle @KyrieIrving's handles 🙅‍♂ https://t.co/4wThjPHXwG

However, there aren't many big names out there searching for a new team. The New York Knicks will have to decide on the pros and cons of signing a superstar of Kyrie Irving's caliber before making a move.

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