NEWSLETTER
Well … that was fast!
Only two days after Kyrie Irving demanded a trade from the Brooklyn Nets due to failed contract extension talks, he has found a new home. The All-Star point guard is headed to the Dallas Mavericks.
The Nets will receive Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, a 2029 first round pick, and multiple seconds, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Mavericks have long been an assumed landing spot for Irving, as the organization continues to look for a co-star for MVP candidate Luka Doncic. The question now, however, is whether or not the unpredictable Irving will stay on the floor – he has missed significant time the last several seasons, including for his suspension earlier this season – and receive the lofty contract max contract he wants in the offseason.
All things considered, the Mavericks definitely gave up the kind of return that would imply they expect Irving to be around for the long haul. Giving up two starting-caliber players and a first rounder is no small sum, especially for a player who made clear that he would not re-sign with Nets in the offseason.
Indeed, both Dinwiddie (a long-time former Net) and Finney-Smith can provide and instant-impact for the Nets and helped them maintain competitive play in the East. Neither may pack as much of a punch as Kyrie Irving on the offensive end, but they’ll help.
Anyway, I’m just glad this quickly resolved and I don’t have to deal with any more Bulls rumors. Not to mention, it’s good to know the whole trade market will not be held up by this Irving shenanigans.
The biggest thing now will be to continue to watch the Nets and see if this has any impact on Kevin Durant’s decision to stay with the franchise. He already requested a trade once … would he do it again?
