The NBA is abuzz with news that the Brooklyn Nets have traded Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks. This blockbuster trade was finalized on Sunday and it has been met with a range of reactions from fans and analysts alike. What makes this trade so intriguing is the fact that both teams have made out like bandits. The Mavericks are getting a second star to pair with Luka Doncic, while the Nets are receiving a point guard and wing, plus future draft picks.
The Mavericks are sending Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, an unprotected 2029 first-round pick and second-round picks in 2027 and 2029 to the Nets in exchange for Irving and Markieff Morris. Dallas general manager Nico Harrison and coach Jason Kidd have a long history with Irving, going back to their Nike days together. For the Nets, Dinwiddie returns to Brooklyn, where he played for five seasons before an ACL injury early in the 2020-21 season.
Kyrie Irving’s tenure in Brooklyn ends after a tumultuous four seasons that included injuries, dozens of missed games due to a refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19, and a suspension this season for promoting a movie that contained antisemitic themes. Irving had requested a trade earlier this week after failing to reach an agreement with Brooklyn on an extension. The Nets plan to offer the picks acquired in the trade, as well as the 2023 first-round pick via the Philadelphia 76ers, in trade talks to try and improve the roster ahead of the Thursday trade deadline.
Irving, 30, has been seeking in the neighborhood of a four-year, $198.5 million maximum extension available to him until June 30. He is also eligible to sign a two-year, $83 million extension with the Mavericks until June 30. Irving has played fewer than 150 games combined over the past four seasons but remained a max-level player when he was on the court. Irving is averaging just over 27 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game this season on excellent efficiency.
The Kyrie Irving-Dallas Mavericks trade is a win-win for both teams. The Mavericks are getting a second star to pair with Luka Doncic, while the Nets are receiving a point guard and wing, plus future draft picks. It’s an exciting time for the NBA as teams jockey for position ahead of the trade deadline. We’ll have to wait and see what other moves are made in the coming days.
Source: www.espn.com