The Brooklyn Nets have a decision to make after shocking reports from the NBA world surfaced on Friday afternoon. According to multiple outlets, Nets guard Kyrie Irving has requested a trade ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline next week.
Irving, 30, has been playing at an All-Star level since returning from his suspension earlier in the season. The 30-year-old player is averaging 27.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists while shooting 48.6% from the field.
This is shocking news as the Nets sit within the championship picture as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference and were looking at the one seed before star forward Kevin Durant went down with an injury.
Related: Kyrie Irving could land with surprise Western Conference team in free agency
Kyrie Irving shockingly requests a trade from the Brooklyn Nets with free agency looming
Irving will be a free agent at the conclusion of the 2022-23 season and was rumored to be moved last off-season. However, Durant ended up rescinding his trade request and the rest is history.
Now, the talented point guard will likely be on the move as the Nets can not waste this opportunity to secure value. Irving should be expected to don a new uniform come this time next week.
According to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, the Nets and Irving were unable to secure a contract extension which led to this trade request. In reality, Irving might be doing Brooklyn a solid so it doesn’t decimate the team this summer.
Irving has also informed the Nets that he will leave the team this summer if a trade is not completed. This will give both sides a chance to find the perfect landing spot and deal for him.
It seems likely the 30-year-old’s next team will be the one he signs his new extension within the coming months. Many have linked him to the Los Angeles Lakers so maybe there is a deal to be done with guard Russell Westbrook.
Overall, what does this mean for the Nets? It means the team will need to find a very good deal to entice Durant to stay moving forward. The former MVP winner almost found himself somewhere else last offseason.
There could be plenty of dominos that drop now that Irving has requested a trade. Perhaps, this will be what gets the ball rolling in what could be a very intriguing rendition of the NBA Trade Deadline.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on the situation surrounding the Nets and Irving as the NBA Trade Deadline is under one week away.