Kyrie Irving trade, Denver Nuggets
Feb 11, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) shoots over Denver Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson (1) during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 125-109. USA TODAY Sports / Ken Blaze

The Denver Nuggets are planning to enter the Kyrie Irving sweepstakes and believe they have the needed assets to acquire the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar, according to reports. Irving recently requested a trade from the Cavs and is likely to be shipped out of Cleveland ahead of the 2017-18 NBA season.

The Nuggets could potentially offer an attractive package of Jamal Murray, Emmanuel Mudiay, Kenneth Faried and Gary Harris. Even though the Nuggets front office has maintained that Murray and budding big man Nikola Jokic are "untouchable," ESPN's Zach Lowe believes that Denver would include Murray in a potential Kyrie Irving trade.

"The Nuggets, desperate to make the postseason, might need an upgrade at point guard unless (Jamal) Murray is ready for heavy starter minutes. Toss aside the fit issues. Murray is 20. Irving is a superstar offensive player. Tilt his game a little bit more toward passing -- an evolution that might happen naturally with (Nikola) Jokic and Paul Millsap flinging the ball around -- and maybe he becomes one of the league's half-dozen or so best offensive players," Lowe wrote in a report published Monday.

The report added that the Cavs are seeking "a blue-chip young player" in a potential Kyrie Irving trade, instead of an established All-Star in the wake of LeBron James' inevitable exit next summer.

Kyrie Irving trade: Nuggets can put together attractive package

During the Lowe Podcast, the insider talked about the possibilities of Jokic-Irving one-two punch, besides the commercial aspect. The Nuggets ranked dead-last in the NBA last season in attendance. "Irving would sell tickets in a market that badly needs a jolt."

ESPN insider Brian Windhorst, a guest on the podcast, acknowledged that Nuggets could use a star like Irving. "His shoes are immensely popular. He's immensely popular with kids. If you trade for him, it is a big boost to your franchise. You're going to sell more tickets. You're going to be on TV more. You're going to sell more jerseys."

Irving has listed the San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves (reported his No. 1 preference), New York Knicks and Miami Heat as four possible destinations. Despite Irvng's request, the Cavs would understandable trade the point guard to the team that can offer the most attractive package. With a minimum of two full years left on Irving's contract, several teams are willing to include valuable assets to acquire the All-Star guard.

Kyrie Irving averaged 25.2 points, 5.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds in his sixth season in the NBA. Irving wants to reportedly step out of LeBron James' shadow and embrace his own squad.