The Los Angeles Clippers are interested in trading for star guard Kyrie Irving, ESPN reported Saturday night.
The Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks are among the teams that have been in touch with the Brooklyn Nets since Friday, per the report. But now the Clippers have joined the conversation as another team that could potentially land Irving should he be dealt ahead of Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET deadline.
Multiple media outlets reported Friday that Irving had requested a trade from Brooklyn and wanted to be traded before the deadline. He did not give a list of preferred destinations, but the Lakers have been considered among the top teams to acquire Irving due to mutual interest between both parties.
Irving, 30, did not play in the Nets’ game against the Washington Wizards on Saturday. The Nets added him to the injury report on Saturday afternoon, indicating he was dealing with a sore right calf.
The Clippers are reportedly looking for a point guard in the trade market. Terance Mann has been starting at the position, with Reggie Jackson coming off the bench. John Wall has missed the last 12 games with an abdominal injury but is expected to return soon.
Irving is in the final year of a $36.9 million deal and is seeking an extension that is in the ball park of four years, $198.5 million, per ESPN’s report. That extension would be available to him until June 30, but if he does in fact get traded, he could sign a two-year extension worth $78.6 million with his new team.
In 40 games this season, all starts, Irving is averaging 27.1 points, 5.3 assists and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 48.6 percent from the field and 37.4 percent from 3-point range.
Now in his 12th NBA season, Irving has spent time with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2011-12 to 2016-17), Boston Celtics (2017-18 to 2018-19) and Nets, whom he joined ahead of the 2019-20 season.
–Field Level Media