How This Deal Impacts Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets are focused on deals centered around Kevin Durant, but he is not the only player that they are looking to move. A trade for Kyrie Irving is certainly on the table as well should a team emerge.
Figuring out what Irving is worth for the Nets is very difficult. On the court, he remains an All-Star level producer. But he has struggled to remain available, playing in only 103 games in three seasons.
Some of that has been outside of his control, such as getting injured. But, there are also self-inflicted games missed.
Teams aren’t knocking down the Nets’ door to acquire Irving for a reason. But, one team that he could be a good fit on is the Dallas Mavericks. If the Nets prioritize draft capital in a trade for Irving, this is one that would make sense.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND RUMORS: This Mavericks-Timberwolves Trade Features D’Angelo Russell
Receiving the Mavericks’ first-round picks in 2025 and 2027 would be a nice haul for Brooklyn in exchange for a player they are unwilling to offer a long-term contract to. There is a caveat to this deal, however, and that is the players coming back in the deal.
Tim Hardaway Jr. and Davis Bertans are both signed to guaranteed deals through 2025. Neither contract is viewed as a positive one, as the only good thing is that Hardaway’s is de-escalating.
With the salary cap expected to spike, $16.1 million for Hardaway and $16 million for Bertans in the final year of their deals could make for good trade chips. However, this is a deal that the Nets may have to wait to make. Taking on that kind of long-term salary before completing a Durant trade would be short-sighted.
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Until a trade centered around him is completed, the Nets will not be trading Irving for two players that have contracts the length of Hardaway and Bertans even with the draft capital included.
