The Sixer Sense
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Could a Kyrie Irving trade mean anything for the Philadelphia 76ers?

By Myles Stedman

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 27: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers attempts a shot against Nik Stauskas #11 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center on November 27, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Cavaliers defeated the 76ers 112-108. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 27: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers attempts a shot against Nik Stauskas #11 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center on November 27, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Cavaliers defeated the 76ers 112-108. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Kyrie Irving has requested a trade. What does that mean for the Philadelphia 76ers?

Cleveland Cavaliers’ point guard Kyrie Irving requested a trade last week, sending shockwaves through the NBA, and a ripple effect likely to have ramifications far beyond the trade itself.

Whilst it would be unlikely to see the NBA champion guard wind up on the Philadelphia 76ers, what is the potential that this trade at least somewhat affects the team?

Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers /

Philadelphia 76ers

Does this increase or decrease Philadelphia’s chances at the title, both this year and in future years? Let’s investigate what we know about the situation.

Obviously, the biggest way this would aid the 76ers is if Irving is shipped out of the Eastern Conference altogether – and there’s a good chance that happens.

This would send yet another All-Star to the other side of the Country, and give Philly even more winnable games this year, and slightly less formidable competition in the Playoffs, if that situation eventuates.

If Irving does remain in the East though, the talent at the top end of the Conference is weaker, but with Kyrie on another team, it also spreads it out.

Of course, that’s not to say LeBron James is not a difficult adversary on his own, but with few to no sidekicks alongside him, as was the case through the early parts of his career, he has been known to struggle, as anyone would.

Perhaps the whole “waiting James out” situation speeds up just that little bit more with Irving on another team. Perhaps the Sixers are contenders next year, as opposed to the year after that.

However, if Irving does make the most to a fellow EC team, it would no doubt strengthen an invariably weak Conference, even if adding just one other team into the equation.

Perhaps Irving lands in Boston – that instantly creates a legitimate threat to LBJ’s status as top dog on the East Coast, meaning, if Philadelphia were to make a deep, they would likely face one or the other in the Conference Finals.

Must Read: 3 reasons Irving to the Sixers is a pipe dream

Perhaps he heads to the New York Knicks – all of a sudden, the East Conference goes three deep, with the Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and New York – even more undergrowth for the 76ers to fight their way through.

By the way, this would obviously be worst case scenario – Irving landing on another Atlantic Division team means the amount of games we play against him this year increases – not a good thing.

Of course, there is also the potential that Irving’s new team is not all that good. There have been plenty of reasons given for why this may not be the case, and obviously, this would be a favourable outcome for Philly also.

The bottom line here is, on his own, there’s every chance Kyrie Irving on another Eastern Conference team makes it all that much harder for the Philadelphia 76ers to make a deep run in the postseason.

If you’re looking to root for him to land somewhere, I’d like to see him fall to any of the teams in the Western Conference that missed the Playoffs last year. This makes the road to the Finals all that much harder for Western teams.

Next: Dario Saric might be the Sixers' best trade asset

For the record, if I were Bryan Colangelo, would I make a trade with the Cavs for their star floor general? No. I’m happy with what we’ve built, and we’re under no pressure to make a move.