The number is five. That is the count of games that Kyrie Irving has missed in a row. At this point, Irving might decide to sit out the rest of the season. If this extreme circumstance happens, he would have played a total of 27 games in two years for the Brooklyn Nets. This would be exactly half of his contract. The Nets could decide to just completely cut ties. Could the Milwaukee Bucks pursue him?

It feels like a decade ago that the Nets signed both Irving and Kevin Durant in free agency. Since then, there has been a shutdown, a restart, a pandemic, and now this mess involving Irving. Oh, and a blockbuster trade that brought James Harden to town. This is the most recent news.

The Nets parted ways with Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, and what feels like every draft pick the franchise holds for the rest of time. The Nets now have their big three. Well, it is a duo as of now since Irving has not been on the floor.

It is only a matter of time before the Nets get fed up with Irving’s antics. If he is on the trading block, there will be some teams cautiously approaching a deal. The Milwaukee Bucks could be one. There are few teams more desperate to win than Milwaukee.

The Bucks have been the best team in the regular season in each of the last two years while Giannis Antetokounmpo has won back-to-back MVP awards. This success has not carried into the postseason, where they have failed to advance to an NBA Finals. Irving could be the piece that takes them to that level.

It would be a shock to see Irving sent away, but not a shock at the same time. His name is big and would open some eyes but it would be hard to blame the Nets if they pulled the trigger. Here is what a potential deal for Irving could look like.