The Brooklyn Nets are trading Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Sunday.
The Mavericks will send Dorian Feeney-Smith and Spencer Dinwiddie in the unprotected first round in 2029 and second round in 2027 and 2029 to the Nets for Irving and Markiv Morris, sources said.
Sources said the Nets plan to offer the picks obtained in the trade — as well as a 2027 first-round pick via the Philadelphia 76ers — in trade talks to try to improve the roster before Thursday's trade deadline.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Nets discussed potential Irving trades on Friday and Saturday. But in the end, the Mavericks package has given the Nets a better chance to surround Kevin Durant with players now — as well as the chance to get three draft picks, the sources said. Sources said the Nets were looking at three-way deals that would include the Lakers before discussions with the Mavericks came together very quickly on Sunday afternoon.
Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison has a long history with Irving, dating back to their days together at Nike, and Dallas coach Jason Kidd has been a proponent of the trade. The Mavericks also nailed the deal for Irving after NBA star Luka Doncic gave him the nod, a source tells ESPN. The Mavs can now wait to see how the rest of the season goes before deciding on a new deal for Irving.
Irving is expected to arrive for a physical Monday in Dallas and travel to make his Mavericks debut against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday (10 p.m. EST, ESPN), a source said.
Meanwhile, Dinwiddie returns to Brooklyn, where he played for five seasons before suffering an ACL injury early in the 2020-21 season.
Irving's tenure in Brooklyn ends after four tumultuous seasons that included injuries, dozens of missed games due to a refusal to get a COVID-19 vaccination, and being suspended this season for promoting a movie containing anti-Semitic themes.
Irving, 30, opted for the final season of his summer deal, but asked for a deal earlier this week after failing to reach an agreement with Brooklyn on an extension.
"Thank you NetsWorld fans and supporters for the love on and off the court," Irving wrote in a tweet early Monday morning. "I will be forever grateful that I was able to make my dream come true as a child with you. It will always be love from me and my family."
Sources said Irving was seeking a four-year neighborhood deal with a maximum of $198.5 million available to him through June 30. He is also eligible to sign a two-year, $83 million extension with the Mavericks through June 30.
Irving has played fewer than 150 games combined over the past four seasons, but he's still been a maximum-level player when he's on the court. Irving is averaging 27.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists this season on a stellar run.
Comments
Post a Comment