The Brooklyn Nets have reportedly traded All-Star guard Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a first-round pick, and multiple second-round picks.
The 30-year-old got his request for a trade ahead of the February 9 trade deadline, and he and Markieff Morris are set to team up with Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic in the “Big D” City.
BREAKING: The Brooklyn Nets are trading Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a first-round and multiple second-round picks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2023
Irving was absent from the Nets’ game against the Washington Wizards on Saturday, with the team alluding to his absence as being due to an injury.
His trade ends a controversially filled period in Brooklyn since he joined as a free agent in 2019 to team up with two-time champion Kevin Durant, who moved to the Nets on a sign-and-trade deal with the Golden State Warriors.
The former Cleveland Cavaliers guard’s time with the Nets was followed by continuous sagas, including him having to miss almost the entire home games last season due to his refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine and an eight-game suspension earlier this season following his failure to apologise and revoke his antisemitic beliefs after his post of a movie link on Twitter.
All these controversies reduced him to 143 games in a little over three seasons, with him and Durant featuring in just 74 games together.
According to reports, the Nets selected the Mavericks package over offers from the Lakers, which included 2027 and 2029 1st-round picks, and the Suns, who offered Chris Paul, Jae Crowder, and multiple picks.
Sources: Brooklyn Nets received Los Angeles Lakers’ proposal that did include team’s two first-round picks (2027, 2029) and Phoenix Suns’ offer of Chris Paul, Jae Crowder and unspecified picks: @NBATV pic.twitter.com/cJuABbaYGy
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 6, 2023
The 2016 NBA champion is scheduled to be a free agent after the season, and many believe he could be heading to the City of Angels after his short stint with the Mavericks, with the aim of teaming up with former teammate LeBron James.
Irving is averaging 27.1 points, 5.3 assists, and 5.1 rebounds this season, and he leaves the Nets, who are fourth in the Eastern Conference, to join the 2022 NBA Western Conference finalists, the Mavericks, who are sixth in their conference.
Full Trade Details
Nets reportedly receives:
- Spencer Dinwiddie
- Dorian Finney-Smith
- 2027 second-round pick
- 2029 first-round pick (unprotected)
- 2029 second round-pick
Mavericks reportedly receives:
- Kyrie Irving
- Markieff Morris
