All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving has requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. Irving joined the Nets in 2019 after departing from the Boston Celtics. There had been ongoing discussions of a potential contract extension throughout the offseason, but the two sides could not agree on the terms of a new deal.
Now after three seasons with the franchise, Irving said he preferred to cut ties with the franchise ahead of the February 9 trade deadline as opposed to waiting to become a unrestricted free agent this summer, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
“Brooklyn Nets All-Star Kyrie Irving has requested a trade, league sources tell [The Athletic]. The franchise has been informed that Irving prefers to move on ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline – or will leave in free agency in July,” Charania tweeted on February 3.
Breaking: Brooklyn Nets All-Star Kyrie Irving has requested a trade, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The franchise has been informed that Irving prefers to move on ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline – or will leave in free agency in July.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski also reported that the Nets and Kyrie recently continued discussions surrounding a new deal but still were unable to agree several months after the initial discussions.
“There were some talks on a new deal for Irving, but no deal was reached and a trade request was delivered to the organization today, sources tell ESPN. Irving can leave the franchise this summer as a free agent,” Wojnarowski tweeted on February 3.
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The Los Angeles Lakers ‘Invested’ in Landing Kyrie Irving
The Los Angeles Lakers may look lousy on paper with their 25-28 record and sitting in 12th place in the Western Conference standings. But they still have one of the best tandems in the league with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Adding an all-world talent such as Kyrie to that mix would almost certainly make them title contenders.
The Lakers have also shown they are willing to do what is necessary to get the right players in the purple and gold, as showcased by their recent trade for former Washington Wizards standout Rui Hachimura. One executive told Heavy Sports in September that Kyrie is one of several players the Lakers are “invested” in landing this coming offseason.
“No matter what [the Lakers] do with trades or however they reconstruct this year, they are going to keep an eye on next summer. That is where they have a lot invested, being able to get another star-type player next summer,” the executive said to Heavy Sports.
“They’re going to look at Kyrie Irving, of course, but he is probably not their top choice. They will look at Jerami Grant, who they liked for a long time, same with Myles Turner. I think Andrew Wiggins would be a big prize there because he can play two-ways.”
Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets Previously Discussed Kyrie Irving Trade
With the Nets having a turbulent season in 2022 and Irving entering the final year of the contract he signed in 2019, the Nets tested the waters on the trade market for their starting point guard last offseason.
In July, Chris B. Haynes, then of Yahoo Sports, reported that the Lakers
and Nets briefly engaged in trade talks that would have swapped Kyrie and former NBA Most Valuable Player Russell Westbrook. Haynes noted there was “optimism” between the sides that they could reach a deal, but that never came to fruition.
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Kyrie Irving Makes Shocking Final Call on Nets Future