Three big ways the Anthony Davis trade impacts the Utah Jazz

Could change Kyrie’s mind and take D’Lo out of equation

Mere days ago, many Utah Jazz fans were euphoric at a report that Kyrie Irving was most likely set to sign with the Brooklyn Nets, and that if he did so, the Nets were probably going to part ways with D’Angelo Russell. Russell, who is an All-Star, has a lot of traits the Jazz need, and is a known friend of Donovan Mitchell would then be an unrestricted free agent, and many believe the Jazz could be in a great position to add him.

However, if Irving doesn’t go there, Russell will remain restricted and the Nets will likely keep him, crushing any hopes the Jazz may have had of adding him. Far prior to the Anthony Davis trade, there was some speculation circling that Kyrie Irving and LeBron James could be interested in reuniting to once again pursue a championship together as they were able to accomplish in Cleveland.

Yes, Kyrie and LeBron didn’t always see eye to eye and the former presumably largely wanted out of Cleveland to depart from James’ shadow. However, they’ve since mended their ways with Irving sympathizing with James after struggling to be a leader in Boston, and it has appeared via reports and social media that the two would be open to playing together once again.

And recent reports threw further fuel on that fire. The Athletic’s David Aldridge reported (subscription required) that Kyrie Irving has maintained for months that he’d like to play with Anthony Davis. Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Sam Amick also said (subscription required) that despite the Brooklyn noise, Kyrie to Los Angeles is still very much in play. Say what you will about the NBA, but it never lacks in drama.

Now that Davis has officially gone to Los Angeles and considering that Irving was purportedly open to playing with LeBron again, I could definitely see this being real. If Irving has a change of heart and decides to bolt for La-La Land, it likely hurts Brooklyn’s chances of adding a free agent point guard or of adding two stars in free agency, which has long been a goal of theirs. If that ends up being the case, they’ll almost certainly hold onto Russell, which will end all hopes Jazz fans had of adding him to their mix.

In other words, free agency is looking far less promising than it once did. And that’s saying a lot because it rarely looks all that encouraging for Jazz fans. It’s long been presumed that Utah would need to make a trade to truly improve this summer, and the blockbuster Anthony Davis deal may very well solidify that as fact.

Fortunately, we won’t have to wait long to find out. With the NBA Draft coming up on Thursday and the start of free agency following just 10 days after that, a lot is bound to change and become solidified in the next few weeks.