A boring day with the Brooklyn Nets is merely the calm earlier than a Kyrie Irving storm. On Friday afternoon, the Nets star level guard added one other chapter to his tumultuous tenure in Brooklyn by inserting his finger on a metaphorical useless man’s swap by outright requesting a commerce from the Nets.

Final week, Irving’s agent went on the report with Bleacher Stories’ Chris Haynes to precise his shopper’s need to signal an extension with the Nets. Irving was generally known as a cantankerous determine, however in Brooklyn, the distractions appeared to escalate each season. An settlement with Irving would undoubtedly be a one-sided affair. Irving will poke and prod on the guardrails after which cross the third rail when that doesn’t garner sufficient of a response. When the Nets didn’t acquiesce to his most up-to-date calls for for a long-term deal, he requested a commerce. Now the Nets have to wonder if he’ll sit out if his calls for are met. Don’t give me that screwface. It’s not exterior the realm of prospects.

When wholesome, Irving has been a sorcerer with the ball and probably the most artistic shotmakers in your entire league. It was price making one final run at a title and fulfilling the promise of this duo. We must always have recognized hassle was brewing when his social media pages began percolating with extra cryptic Da Vinci Code clues. Per week after being named an All-Star starter, Irving has caught one other banana within the tailpipe of this Nets franchise.

The saddest a part of this saga is that the Brooklyn Nets have been lastly flying excessive. Head coach Jacque Vaughn appeared to have Irving’s ear. Their switching protection was extra imposing than it had ever been throughout Steve Nash’s run. Irving pulling this nonsensical sabotage now could be the insanity he manifests. Between Nov. 27 and Jan. 8, which is when Kevin Durant sprained his MCL, they’d received 17 of 19 video games and have been ascending quick.

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Durant’s knee has barely had time to heal, before a shiv was placed in his back by the point guard he committed to the Nets with back in 2020. The Nets shouldn’t be surprised either. They stuck with him through his refusal to get vaccinated, after he took time off to go partying maskless in the course of the 2021-22 season throughout a winter COVID spike throughout the nation and after he served a suspension associated to an anti-semitic movie he promoted, then took every week to disavow. Within the offseason, Irving threatened to choose out, then opted in after they discovered a shallow marketplace for Irving.

Irving’s request doesn’t simply shake up the franchise on the deadline, however it additionally impales Durant’s profession. Durant hitching his wagon to Irving has been the most important mistake he’s ever made. After the serene two championships in 4 years Durant received with Golden State, and Irving’s championship years as LeBron James’ sidekick in Cleveland, he and Irving sought to construct one thing as equals. As a substitute, Irving has written a horror story for Durant. His damaging tendencies have been a wedge that performed an element in driving away James Harden. He single-handedly tanked the Nets and previous to that, set the Celtics championship challenge again a number of years. Don’t neglect, he additionally requested a commerce away from the Cavaliers after the 2017 Finals. That is his sample.

Ramifications of an Irving commerce

So let’s unpack the commerce deadline ramifications. The outcomes for Irving are pretty simple. Los Angeles is the one franchise that has the need and the items to barter a commerce for Irving and his expiring contract. Russell Westbrook has been a supplemental piece off the bench for the Lakers and his $47 million wage shall be instrumental in matching Irving’s contract if a commerce have been negotiated.

Nonetheless, for Brooklyn, this could be a deal to strengthen the longer term. The Lakers would doubtless have to give up their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks, however it’s an trade the Lakers would make instantly. If Rob Pelinka is savvy sufficient, he’d lop Joe Harris into the deal as nicely to supply the NBA’s worst taking pictures crew with one other floor-spacing sharpshooter. Then, they’d should appease him with a contract extension. Luckily, LeBron is the league’s solely confirmed Kyrie whisperer, and if the Clippers leap on an Irving commerce, Laker Nation shall be fuming. The Warmth are skulking round, however Pat Riley, Jimmy Butler, and Kyrie Irving really feel like a match close to a leaky fuel line.

For Durant, this might take some time. The elephant within the room is the Golden State Warriors. If Irving will get his reunion with James, Golden State ought to do every little thing in its energy to become involved by some means. A sleepy commerce deadline, simply received a shock to the center. The extra issues change, you’ll be able to all the time depend on Kyrie Irving to set the world on fireplace.