Kyrie Irving has just been traded to the Dallas Mavericks. The Brooklyn Nets traded him in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith. The Mavs also included a 2027 second-round draft pick, a 2029 second-round pick along with an unprotected first-round pick for the same year as well. The trade has surely been a shock to Nets fans, and the NBA world too if we’re being honest.
The Mavericks are sending a 2029 unprotected first-round pick, a 2027 second-round pick and a 2029 second round-pick to the Nets, sources @TheAthletic @Stadium. Brooklyn also is sending Markieff Morris to Dallas. https://t.co/EtqlQqQuGq
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2023
The Nets had a rocky start to the season with Steve Nash in the driving seat. He could not lead the team as well as Sean Marks liked, which ultimately caused his firing as well. The Nets board immediately replaced Nash with Jacque Vaughn. There were many who doubted the coach’s experience at the highest level and claimed that he wouldn’t do any better than Nash. However, Vaughn has done tremendously well to hit back at all the critics with a great midseason so far. The Nets are currently 4th seed in the East, which is one of the reasons why Kyrie‘s trade request was a huge surprise.
Will Kevin Durant stay with the Brooklyn Nets after Kyrie Irving’s departure?
Kevin Durant was the first among himself and Kyrie to request a trade. He voiced his wish to leave the Nets in the summer of 2022, which caused quite a commotion as well. However, the Nets could not find an appropriate suitor for KD and one that offered a deal that they couldn’t reject as well. This was the main reason why Durant had to stay with the Nets. Not to mention the ultimatum he gave Joe Tsai, and how the Nets owner sided against Durant for that matter. There would be no harm in saying that the Nets have been under the spotlight for various different reasons.
“I’m hearing that [Kevin Durant is] on the verge of potentially being moved. Obviously, we’ve all been speculating that he may be moved. I’m hearing [the Celtics] is making some calls. Keep your eye on Jaylen Brown.”
🗣️ Stephen A. Smithpic.twitter.com/dHXAdyyZUp
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) February 6, 2023
After Kyrie’s departure, NBA insider Stephen A. Smith has revealed that Durant might be on the move soon. He said, “I’m hearing that he is on the verge of potentially being moved. Obviously, we’ve all been speculating that he may be moved. I’m hearing Boston is making some calls. Keep your eye on Jaylen Brown.”
When KD requested a trade last year, it was surprise mainly because of the fact that Kyrie agreed to stay with the Nets. Once again, Kyrie’s departure has been a huge shock considering how the Nets have been performing and how he wanted to leave despite having a committed Durant in the team. Whatever the case, he will be joining Luka Doncic in Dallas. Howver, it looks like KD’s future with the Nets is uncertain as well. He is still a top player, averaging 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in 39 games this season before suffering an MCL sprain.
Durant is on the verge of leaving New York, as per Smith, and he believes that Boston Celtics might include star player Jaylen Brown in a trade deal as well. If this happens, it will be a blockbuster trade that will leave the NBA world speechless. We can only wait to witness how this plays out for Durant and the Celtics, just days before the trade deadline.
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