Popular and controversial ESPN sports analyst Stephen A. Smith has urged Kevin Durant to seek out a trade with claims he has been betrayed by Kyrie Irving.

Irving hasn’t been active this season as he’s opted not to get vaccinated and Smith has been pretty vocal over the issue these last few weeks. Vaccination is, of course, a personal choice yet the ESPN personality says Kyrie owes it to Durant as the former was the one who got KD to join the Brooklyn Nets.

The Nets remain the outright favorites for the NBA at 13/5 and currently lead the Eastern Conference. However, they were expected to get off to a much better start. They were also expected to have Kyrie Irving on the court. Of course, there’s hope that Irving will eventually return and the Nets will be able to put all of this behind them. Fans can have their say at FanDuel New York but Brooklyn’s title chances might be contingent on whether or not the guard shows up.

While Durant has been remarkable, he won’t be able to get it done on his own where an NBA title is concerned – James Harden is also struggling mightily on the back of the NBA’s new rule changes and the Nets could certainly use the other All-Star they imagined they’d have for this run at a title.

Speaking on a recent episode of First Take, Smith was asked if Durant should regret leaving the Golden State Warriors.

“Without question,” he replied (H/T Fadeawayworld.com). “If you’re gonna leave the Oracle. And you gonna leave a first-class organization like the Golden State Warriors, you’re leaving for a brand like the New York Knicks.”

He added Durant should feel like he made a mistake leaving the Warriors for Brooklyn because he wanted to play with Irving but has been betrayed.

“KD came to Brooklyn because of Kyrie Irving,” Smith continued. “Kyrie Irving has betrayed KD. He has betrayed basketball fans with his continual excuses for absence. He has betrayed his teammates, he’s betrayed the NBA game because he is a superstar, a show-stopper, must-see television.

“I wouldn’t blame KD if KD asked to be traded at the end of the season. I think he should ask to be traded.”

The Nets, though, are leading all chasers in the East in spite of Irving’s absence. They’re also doing so while Harden waits to hit top gear. Harden has been one of the most potent scorers in the NBA over the last few years and the Nets nearly got to the NBA Finals while he was hobbled in the playoffs last season. Brooklyn could be scary good when he’s back to his normal, free-scoring self.

Durant is leading the team in scoring and rebounds this season, averaging 28.6 and 7.9 per game. He’s also shooting 56.7 percent from the field.

His excellence wasn’t enough when he faced his former team last week, with Steph Curry lighting the Nets up to spur the Warriors to a 117-99 win.

Durant, who won two championships alongside Curry, was full of praise for his erstwhile teammate, who is making a strong case to be the league’s Most Valuable Player this season.

“He’s a master at what he does. I’ve been saying that,” KD said of the sharpshooting superstar. “He came into the league, you know, just a crafty player that can pretty much do anything off the ball. He can cut to the rim, shoot floaters, shoot 3’s, and he can handle the basketball too and get down to his spots.

“He put in a ton of work and cares about the game, loves his teammates, plays with energy. So, that’s what you get every night as a player like that playing at an All-Star, MVP, Hall of Fame level. You gotta respect it.

Curry scored 37 points along with seven rebounds, five assists and two steals while shooting 63.2 percent from the field in just 29 minutes of action. The three-time NBA champion also hit nine three-point shots during the game.

The Warriors star also scored 40 in a 104-89 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers last Thursday, posting a 20-point fourth quarter to help the Warriors out of a 13-point deficit.

“He’s one of the greatest players in the history of the game,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after Curry’s sensational performance. “And he’s the greatest 3-point shooter of all time. And the way he moves off the ball, he’s so strong and fluid and he understands the game on and off the ball. And he’s fearless. So you throw all that together — and he’s always capable of catching fire like that. As amazing as it was, it didn’t shock me because this is what he does.”

“Nothing surprises me anymore,” Kerr added. “And yet I’m amazed if that makes sense. It’s still incredible to watch, but you sort of expect it. That’s what greatness is about — where you want to see it, fans come to see it, and then you sort of expect something to happen and then he does it and you’re just in awe. You’re amazed. He’s a special player, a special person.”

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