Kyrie Irving has found a new home, as the Brooklyn Nets have reportedly given in to his trade request and shipped him to the Dallas Mavericks.
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
Irving is reportedly “ecstatic” about the move and “looking forward” to playing alongside superstar Luka Doncic.
Kyrie Irving is said to be “ecstatic” about the trade to Dallas Mavericks and “looking forward” to joining forces with Luka Dončić, a league source tells @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 5, 2023
It seems the Mavs’ trade offer of Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith and a few draft picks won the Nets over. It’s still unclear how much competition Dallas had, but some of the organizations that had been linked to Irving were the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns.
Dinwiddie will be making his way back to the Nets after playing for the franchise for five seasons from 2016 to 2021. After starting his NBA career playing for the Detroit Pistons, the point guard had an opportunity to showcase that he belonged in the league after signing with Brooklyn in the 2016 offseason.
He had a breakout campaign in the 2019-20 season, averaging 20.6 points and 6.8 assists per contest. After quick stints with the Washington Wizards and Mavs, Dinwiddie will presumably be filling in the role that Irving will vacate in the wake of the trade.
As for Finney-Smith, he will be playing for just his second franchise after spending the last seven years in Dallas. He has become a solid 3-and-D specialist, hitting 1.9 3-pointers per game on a 38.3 percent shooting clip from beyond the arc over the past four seasons.
The undrafted forward from the University of Florida will provide Kevin Durant with a solid frontcourt partner if the former MVP decides to stay in Brooklyn and not leave town.
What probably helped the Mavs get the Nets’ attention is the draft capital they were willing to give in addition to two proven rotation players. According to league insider Shams Charania, Brooklyn will get an unprotected first-round pick as well as a couple of second-round picks.
The Mavericks are sending a 2029 unprotected first-round pick, a 2027 second-round pick and a 2029 second round-pick to the Nets, sources @TheAthletic @Stadium. Brooklyn also is sending Markieff Morris to Dallas. https://t.co/EtqlQqQuGq
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2023
The Mavs probably have no problem giving away those key assets because it means landing another elite playmaker who can complement Doncic. When healthy and available, a pairing of Doncic and Irving will surely be one of the most formidable backcourts in the NBA.
It remains to be seen if this trade moves the needle for Dallas. Moreover, Irving is set to become a free agent in the coming offseason, with extension talks between the two sides expected to be put off until the summer.
Kyrie Irving extension talks are expected to be put off until this summer. He is eligible for a 2-year extension now and a 4-year deal in the summer.
If the Mavs-Kyrie union doesn’t continue, Dallas will have close to max salary cap space this summer.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) February 5, 2023
Dallas’ next game is on Monday night on the road against the Utah Jazz.
