Why did Kyrie Irving request trade from Brooklyn Nets?

Recently, it appeared like everything was going well for the Brooklyn Nets, but it turns out that everything was just too good to be true. Kyrie Irving has sought a trade from the Brooklyn Nets and wants to be moved by the February 9 deadline, according to Shams Charania and Adrian Wojnarowski. He’ll sign a free-agent contract and leave if they don’t move him.

Breaking: Why did Kyrie Irving request trade from Nets?

With a game average of 27.1 points, 5.3 assists, and 5.1 rebounds, Irving is having one of the best seasons of his career. Along with Kevin Durant, another member of the Nets, he has recently been voted an All-Star starter for the Eastern Conference.

What caused him to press the eject button when Brooklyn was among the top four teams in the East and Irving was having a fantastic individual season?

Kyrie Irving has been outspoken about demanding the appropriate contract while still expressing a long-term desire to play for the Brooklyn Nets. He didn’t want to commit to the Nets for whatever reason, and it appears that they didn’t want to commit to him either.

Before his trade request, Irving was looking to sign a contract extension with the Nets. Shetellia Irving, Kyrie’s stepmother and agent, told Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes last week that she had reached out to Brooklyn, but the two sides “had no significant conversations.”

“The desire is to make Brooklyn home, with the right type of extension, which means the ball is in the Nets’ court to communicate now if their desire is the same,” Shetellia said.

On Friday, Charania offered additional details on negotiations between Irving and the Nets-

“The Nets recently offered Irving an extension with guarantee stipulations, according to league sources, an offer which was declined. Sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations who have been granted anonymity so that they could speak freely say that the extension offer was not well received and that there have been principle differences that have emerged between the Nets and Irving.”

It is still unclear precisely what led to Irving’s request for a trade. When healthy, the Brooklyn Nets had won 12 straight games this season, were in the running for the top spot, and appeared to enjoy playing with Jacque Vaughn. If there is a reason to believe that this would occur, it is likely because the Brooklyn Nets did not want to offer Kyrie Irving the maximum salary that he requested.

What precisely happens to Kevin Durant if Kyrie Irving departs is the second important question. Does Kevin Durant resume his offseason push for a trade to the Phoenix Suns? Is Kyrie Irving able to fulfil his initial goal of joining the Los Angeles Lakers? If Kyrie Irving ultimately leaves without being paid, the Brooklyn Nets will have a lot of explaining to do.

Kyrie Irving’s contract details

Irving is in the final season of a four-year, $136.5 million deal that he signed with the Nets in 2019. He accepted his $36.5 million player option for the 2022-23 season after Brooklyn was unable to find a sign-and-trade deal for him.

Season 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24
Irving’s salary $31.7 million $33.3 million $34.9 million $36.5 million UFA

 
Irving can sign a 4-year extension worth close to $200 million with the Nets.

As an unrestricted free agent, he is “expected to have ample interest from around the league,” per Haynes.


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