Nets’ Kyrie Irving requests trade; will sign elsewhere in the offseason if not traded
Brooklyn Nets superstar Kyrie Irving has requested a trade with the trade deadline less than six days away (Feb. 9), according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Charania also reported that if Brooklyn does not trade Irving by the deadline, the former Duke Blue Devil will leave when he is an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
This is not that much of a surprise when you take a step back because Irving wanted to explore sign-and-trade opportunities this past offseason when general manager Sean Marks and the Nets did not want to commit to Irving long-term. Since this season has started, Irving has stayed out of the public spotlight except for when he tweeted a link to a film filled with anti-Semitic rhetoric and effectively served a team-suspension of eight games.
Irving was recently named an starter for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game in Utah as he is having another great season. However, his latest reason for being in the headlines appears to be more of the same.
Breaking: Brooklyn Nets All-Star Kyrie Irving has requested a trade, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The franchise has been informed that Irving prefers to move on ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline – or will leave in free agency in July.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 3, 2023
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