After expressing his trade request from the Nets a few days ago, Kyrie Irving was traded on Sunday to the Dallas Mavericks. In a package deal, the Dallas Mavericks sent over Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2027 second-round draft pick, a 2029 second-round draft pick, and an unprotected 2029 first-round pick in order to grab Irving.
BREAKING: The Brooklyn Nets are trading Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a first-round and multiple second-round picks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2023
Dinwiddie previously played for the Nets from 2016 to 2021 and averaged 14.3 points per game throughout his stint with the Nets, with his best season being in the 2019-2020 season where he scored 20.6 points per game. Dinwiddie was then picked up by the Washington Wizards during the 2021 offseason in a sign-and-trade with the Nets. Finney-Smith has spent his entire seven-year career with the Mavericks and now will be entering a new team and new territory for the first time in his career. Finney-Smith averaged 8.3 points per game, 1.4 assists per game, and 4.7 rebounds per game in his career with the Mavericks
Just two weeks ago, Irving was in discussions of a contract extension with the Nets. It was speculated that Irving just might spend the rest of his career with the Nets and stay with Kevin Durant as his co-star. Irving was currently in his final year with the Nets, who had signed a 4-year $136 million deal, and was looking towards another four-year deal worth $200 million. The offer was declined and both Irving and the Nets could not come to a deal, which later led to the trade request made by Irving.
Just a day after making the trade request, Irving did not step onto the court during a home game against the Wizards. He did not play due to reported “calf soreness” but that did not stop the home crowd from relentlessly booing Irving. He is expected to arrive in Dallas on Monday, and will suit up for his first game with the Mavericks on Wednesday, February 8th, against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Throughout his four-year stint with the Nets, Irving averaged 27.1 points per game, 5.8 assists per game, and 4.8 rebounds per game. In the 40 games Irving has played with the Nets this season, he averaged 27.1 points per game, 5.3 assists per game, and 5.1 rebounds per game.
Just as the Nets season could not get any worse, the Kyrie Irving trade happened. It is most likely the Nets will not be making it far during the playoffs with only Kevin Durant as the leading scorer, and the Nets next moves are in question for the next few years. While it is not impossible for Durant to carry the team on his back and put up a performance of a lifetime in the playoffs this season, the chances of a championship for the Nets looks very bleak and the loss of Irving put a huge hit on the playoff chances for the Nets.
