A new suitor is in the mix to acquire Brooklyn Nets superstar Kyrie Irving. He told the Nets Friday that he wants out of Brooklyn before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the LA Clippers have joined the pursuit of a trade to acquire Irving from the Nets before the February 9th deadline.
“The LA Clippers have joined the pursuit of Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving, sources told ESPN on Saturday,” Wojnarowski wrote.
The other teams engaged in trade discussions regarding Irving include the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Phoenix Suns. The Clippers are “probing” a possible deal as they continue to seek an upgrade at the point guard position.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers & Phoenix Suns Updates
The Nets announced Thursday that guard Irving won’t play in Saturday’s game against the Washington Wizards due to right calf pain. He has emerged as the central focus of the latest NBA trade rumors.
“I think you have a responsibility as a basketball player, like I do as a coach,” Nets coach Jacque Vaughn said before Saturday’s game. “I show up, I do my job every single day, that’s what I signed up for, and that’s my expectation for one through seventeen.”
He was not on the initial injury report Friday. Still, as rumors surrounding his future in Brooklyn grow before next week’s trade deadline, Irving will miss his third game of the season due to injury, excluding the eight games he was sidelined for in November due to suspension. Irving is averaging 27.1 points, 5.3 assists, and 5.1 rebounds this season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers & Phoenix Suns Updates
On Friday, ESPN reported that the Mavericks, Lakers, and Suns have already expressed interest in trade discussions involving Irving. There is no list of teams Irving prefers, but his market is small, and it’s clear he hopes to be acquired by a team to sign a long-term extension.
He is currently in the final year of a deal that pays him $36.5 million. He has been seeking an extension that could max out at $198.5 million for four years until June 30. Irving can sign a two-year, $78.6 million extension with his new team until June 30 if he is traded.
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