The NBA hot stove is about to heat up. With less than a week until the NBA trade deadline, a salvo has been launched by the Brooklyn Nets’ Kyrie Irving. The mercurial point guard has sent shockwaves through the league as he has requested a trade from the team.
Kyrie Irving trade rumors are now going to dominate headlines up until the deadline on February 9th. This isn’t the first time that he has requested a change of scenery, as he also pushed to get traded during the offseason. No deal came to fruition at that time, but he is trying his hand once again.
Irving has informed the Nets he would prefer to be traded by the deadline next week, but he will not be returning to the franchise this summer as a free agent. That puts Brooklyn in a tough spot as they have to try extracting as much value as possible from this ordeal.
While his market during the offseason was ice-cold, three suitors have already emerged. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Phoenix Suns have emerged as potential suitors.
Teaming up again with LeBron James was a popular rumor that was discussed ad nauseam during the offseason. The Lakers were the only team that showed any real interest in acquiring him and that could be the case ahead of the trade deadline.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers & Phoenix Suns Updates
If the Lakers made their first-round picks in 2027 and 2029 available along with Russell Westbrook, it could be hard to imagine the Nets not pulling the trigger on that deal. That would be about the best value Brooklyn could expect to receive.
If this comes down to haggling over draft picks, the Suns could have an edge. They have all of their first-round picks available to trade, something the Lakers and Mavericks don’t have. After spending so much of the offseason discussing trade packages centered around Kevin Durant, the Suns could have a leg up in the Irving race as the front offices have spoken extensively.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers & Phoenix Suns Updates
During those negotiations, some dialogue was likely had about Irving as well. With Deandre Ayton now eligible to be traded, he could be used as the centerpiece of trade talks once again. This will be something to keep an eye on in the coming week as the Nets almost have to trade Irving otherwise they will get nothing in return for him when he hits free agency this summer.
