Kyrie Irving wanted out, and the Brooklyn Nets finally obliged.
After failing to come to terms on a long term deal, Irving demanded on Friday that he be traded.
By Sunday afternoon, the Nets finally did the deed, trading the troubled star point guard to the Dallas Mavericks for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finley-Smith, an unprotected first round pick in 2029; and second round picks in 2027 and '29. Markieff Morris also went in the deal from the Nets to the Mavericks.
The move is a solid one for the Nets, who rid themselves of a player who created more drama off the court than on it.
From injuries, to refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19, to posting links to an antisemitic book and film -- which led to a subsequent eight game suspension, Irving's stay in Brooklyn was not a good one.
A year ago the Nets had Irving, James Harden and Kevin Durant on their roster. Now all they are left with is Durant, who already made trade demands last summer. Durant who is out with an MCL Sprain for the second straight year, will be a player to watch come the off-season to see if the Nets try to move him in their rebuild.
Give the Nets and Sean Marks credit. They didn't let a superstar player control them for too much longer. Irving's antics, his odd behavior, and certainly the controversy he carried with him was like a bad fungus. The Nets had to get him out of town, and when he demanded a trade, he made it even easier for them.
Good on the Nets for hitting the reset button. Dinwiddie was a good player here when he was a Net, and those draft picks could come of good use down the road.
The next thing Sean Marks must do is dump Durant and let the full rebuild begin.
Comments