(Basketball news) The Brooklyn Nets traded Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks according to Adrian Wojnarowski on Sunday. The Mavericks will be sending Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie and a unprotected 2029 first-round pick and second-round picks in 2027 in exchange for Irving and Markieff Morris. The Nets are planning to offer the picks acquired in the trade as well as their 2027 first-round pick which they got via the Philadelphia 76ers as they look to get in more trades to improve the roster ahead of the Thursday trade deadline.
It was widely expected that the Los Angeles Lakers would be Kyrie’s next destination as they discussed possible trade deals on Friday and Saturday with the Nets. But ultimately, the Mavericks’ package gave the Nets a better chance to surround Kevin Durant with players who can perform now as well as the opportunity to acquire three draft picks in the process. The Nets were looking for a three-way deal involving the Lakers before the discussions with the Mavericks as talks accelerated fairly quickly on Sunday afternoon.
Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison has a history with Irving, going back to their Nike days together. Meanwhile Dallas coach Jason Kidd was the main catalyst of the trade as Kyrie really wanted to work with him. The Mavericks ran the deal past All-NBA star Luka Doncic, who without a question of a doubt gave it a nod. The deal is still a huge risk for the Mavs as Irving will enter free agency in the summer but they can now wait to see how the rest of the season goes before giving a massive new deal.
Irving is expected to arrive for a physical in Dallas and is set to travel to make his Mavericks debut against the LA Clippers on Wednesday. On the other hand, Spencer Dinwiddie returns to Brooklyn, where he played for five seasons before sustaining a career ending ACL injury early in the 2020-21 season. Irving’s tenure in Brooklyn ends after a tumultuous four seasons that was filled with injuries, dozens of missed games, refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and a suspension for promoting a movie that contained antisemitic themes.
Irving, who turned 30, opted into the final season of his deal in the summer but he requested a trade this week after failing to reach an agreement with Brooklyn on an extension. Irving wanted a four-year, $198.5 million maximum extension according to sources. He also is eligible to sign a two-year, $83 million extension with the Mavericks until June 30, which is most likely what he is going to do in the summer. Irving has played less than 150 games combined over the past four seasons, but he is still averaging 27.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists this season with excellent efficiency.
“Thank you NetsWorld fans and supporters for the Love on and off the court,” Irving wrote in a tweet early Monday morning. “I will forever be grateful I got to live out my dream I had as a Kid with y’all. It will always be Love from me and my family.”
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