Kyrie Irving Sent Out A Tweet Right Before His Trade Request Was Reported
On Friday night, 16 teams in the NBA had games, but the day's biggest news was what happened off the hardwood.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported that NBA Champion Kyrie Irving had requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets.
Via Charania: "Breaking: Brooklyn Nets All-Star Kyrie Irving has requested a trade, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The franchise has been informed that Irving prefers to move on ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline – or will leave in free agency in July."
Irving is in his fourth season with the Nets and is averaging 27.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists per contest in 40 games (while shooting 48.6% from the field).
Less than one hour before Charania tweeted out the massive report, Irving sent a tweet.
Irving tweeted: "To my Peers: JUST BE YOURSelf and GROW! Keep people around who CELEBRATE YOU unconditionally and appreciates all of the hard work that gets put in.
Distance yourself from the folks who manipulate, hate, and hurt.
Hélà"
The former first-overall pick is relatively active on Twitter, but the timing is definitely worth noting (Charania sent his tweet out at 1:52 Eastern Time, while Irving's tweet was at 1:01 Eastern Time).
Despite the talented rosters the Nets have had over the last few seasons, they have only won just one playoff series with Irving.
Before the Nets, the former Duke star played for the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers.
He is 30 years old, and this is his 12th season in the NBA.
The Nets will play their next game on Saturday night when they host the Washington Wizards.
