As NBA beat writers catch up on a bit rest and relaxation over the next month before thoughts turn to training camp, one thing is certain:

Smart phones will be kept handy, including my own.

That’s because there’s a strong possibility that one of the league’s top players – Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving – will be moved at some point over the next few weeks.

A person with knowledge of the Detroit Pistons' front office told the Free Press recently that the organization is interested in the four-time NBA All-Star, who nailed the winning shot to clinch the 2016 NBA title for the Cavs.

That's not a shocker. ESPN.com’s Adrian Wojnarowski, citing league sources, reported late last month that “there were approximately 20 teams” that inquired on Irving when news of his trade request rocked the NBA off-season.

And team president and coach Stan Van Gundy isn’t even trying to hide Pistons interest, telling the team website earlier this week “the Pistons have had some level of conversation with the Cavs.”

When one of the league’s top players becomes available, of course teams should do due diligence.

But a word of caution to the Pistons — and any teams contemplating Irving:

Can the wondrous scorer be the best player on a contender?

If not, is he worth the asking price?

Pro Irving

When it comes to scoring the basketball, there is nothing Irving can’t do.

He averaged a career-best 25.2 points per game last season, shooting 47.3% overall and 40.1% from three-point range.

Duncan Smith, editor of the blog PistonsPowered, showed Irving’s points per possession on a variety of plays in a graphic that spread across Twitter this week.

It showed Irving's game has few holes.

In eight major categories, from being the primary ball-handler in pick-and-roll situations to isolation plays, Irving was judged to be either excellent, very good or merely good.

His ability to create offense around the rim is simply special. A combination of floaters, spins and hang time allows for spectacular shot making.

The entire offensive repertoire is unleashed with tremendous ball-handling skills that would be right at home in any streetball league in the country.

After an acquisition, he would immediately become the top player on most teams.

He’s 25 years old and has a very manageable contract worth nearly $39 million over the next two seasons.

He'd also attract fans to the arena. A trade for

The early indication is the Pistons' move to Little Caesars Arena is helping the season ticket base. A name like Irving would create momentum past the inaugural season in the shiny new venue.

Related:Why Kyrie Irving is unrealistic trade acquisition for Detroit Pistons

Clippers owner Ballmer: Pistons move great for Detroit's momentum

Con Irving

Last season, the Cavs were plus-9 per 100 possessions when Irving was joined by LeBron James on the floor, per NBA.com.

Without LeBron, the Cavs were minus-8 per 100 possessions.

When James has sat for maintenance reasons the last two seasons, the Cavs record is 3-13.

Irving fans would say the system is designed for James so it’s tough to adjust when he is off the floor or out of the lineup.

But James isn’t a starting quarterback.

This is basketball where a team with the best players wins a good percentage of the time. With Irving and Kevin Love, the Cavs have the two best players on the floor most nights.

A more plausible explanation is Irving’s playing style. It’s ball dominant and there is data to suggest he’s one the worst when it comes to passing when driving to the basket.

Is Irving a talent that automatically guarantees a spot in the conference finals?

Or is he just a smaller version of the New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony, who has reached the conference finals once – when he played for the Denver Nuggets in 2009.

The cost

ESPN.com has already played Cavs-Pistons matchmaker.

The website listed the Pistons as one of five Irving destinations with a three-team trade involving the Los Angeles Clippers getting it done.

The Pistons received: Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson.

The Clippers received: Andre Drummond, Stanley Johnson and a future Pistons first-round pick.

The Cavaliers received: DeAndre Jordan and Reggie Jackson.

So the cost to get Irving and Thompson is Drummond, Johnson, Jackson and a future first-round pick.

Would the Pistons do this deal?

Hard to say. As a team with cap issues, they would be yielding two cheap roster spots (Johnson and the future first-round pick), limiting future financial flexibility.

To get a player of Irving’s caliber, it could be worth it.

But would the Cavs have interest?

The perception still remains that Drummond and Jackson have low trade values after both players were part of the February trade deadline rumor mill.

Drummond (with potentially four years left on his maximum contract) is a traditional center in a game that’s increasingly looking for shooting from big men.

And Jackson has yet to prove he is fully recovered from the left knee tendinitis that plagued him last season.

These factors lead you to believe the Cavs can do better than whatever the Pistons can put together.

But that won’t stop feelings of unease if I’m more than temporarily separated from my phone over the next few weeks.

Contact Vince Ellis at vellis@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @vincent_ellis56.