When Kyrie Irving opted into his contract for the 2022-23 NBA season, many presumed the saga between him and the Brooklyn Nets was over, at least for now. But, only days later, their course of action changed when Kevin Durant requested a trade from the organization.
It came as a bit of a surprise, as Irving opting in meant that they would be able to play together for at least one more season. But, Durant had evidently reached his breaking point, as he no longer wants to be a part of the Nets.
Durant’s request means that everyone else, including Irving, could now be moved in a trade. But, a resolution could take a little while to come about. As Brian Windhorst shared, an Irving trade will come only after the team finds a new home for Durant.
“He’s going to have to sit and wait for the Durant situation to play out whether it takes three days or three weeks. And that’s just the reality of it. But in the end of it, when all that smoke clears, it is true he could be a Laker. That’s definitely still on the table.”
LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: Los Angeles Lakers Among Best Kyrie Irving Trade Destinations After Kevin Durant’s Request?
Most players have a list of preferred landing spots. Sometimes, depending on the situation, they will get their wish. But, Brooklyn is not required to do so. They are going to make the best deal that they can regardless of the team.
Irving wants to end up with the Los Angeles Lakers and team up with LeBron James again. However, the Nets are not going to go out of their way to appease him, especially after how the last three seasons have gone.
“Also, the Nets have no interest in accommodating Kyrie Irving. They have no interest in doing it. If it comes up maybe a three-team trade or a four-team trade to get the Nets satisfied with what they want. To get them maybe a start. To take draft picks from Phoenix and reroute them somewhere else… Kyrie might get thrown into that four-team trade just as salary ballast. He’s going to be used as a tool to help the Nets. He is not going to be used for a player to trade for value. Very unlikely you’re going to get anything of value. Maybe a draft pick or two. And he’s not going to be used to accommodate.”
LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: Los Angeles Lakers Among Best Kyrie Irving Trade Destinations After Kevin Durant’s Request?
Given how low Irving’s trade value is around the league, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. With teams already addressing needs via the 2022 NBA Draft and the start of free agency, his market could be even colder, if that is even possible.
It is a major risk taking Irving on as he has played in only 103 games the last three seasons with the Nets. Brooklyn is where he picked to play as a free agent; imagine what he would do if he was traded to a team that he didn’t want to be a part of?
LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: Los Angeles Lakers Among Best Kyrie Irving Trade Destinations After Kevin Durant’s Request?
The Nets are certainly in a tough situation when it comes to Irving, but as an expiring deal, he does still possess some value. Whether it is as an addition to a bigger trade or on his own to take back some long-term money possible with draft capital attached, we will have to wait and see.
