NBA Trade Deadline Notes & Rumors: What's Next For Brooklyn Amidst Kyrie Irving Trade Request - Siegel's Scoop
You just never know what will happen the week of the NBA trade deadline and while it seemed like this season’s deadline had a chance to be much calmer than last season’s deadline, all that energy went out the window this past Friday afternoon when massive news came out of Brooklyn.
Kyrie Irving requesting a trade from the Brooklyn Nets not only surprised many executives and players around the NBA, but it also came as a shock to many within the Nets organization and superstar forward Kevin Durant, this according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
While there is still a lot of focus being put on the Toronto Raptors and what they will do ahead of the deadline, league personnel are now fixated on the Nets and what will transpire over the next few days leading up to this season’s trade deadline in regards to Irving’s request.
Right ahead of the start of free agency this past summer, Kevin Durant requested a trade from Brooklyn in what was also shocking news at the time. Ultimately, the two sides settled their differences and things have seemed to be smoothed over this season in regards to Durant’s issues with the organization, but now this recent news with Irving throws a massive wrench in the Nets’ long-term plans.
The decision they have to make pertaining to Kyrie Irving leading up to Thursday will have a huge effect on this franchise’s immediate future and quite possibly play a role in what transpires in the playoffs this season, especially if Irving is traded to a playoff contending team.
Looking to receive a long-term extension from the Nets, Irving was presented with an offer recently, but according to The Athletic, this extension offer from Brooklyn had guarantee stipulations on it and as a result, it was not well received from Irving’s side.
Whether or not this trade request is just a ploy to try and get the contract he wants from the Nets is unknown at this time, but league sources that have spoken with Fastbreak on FanNation on this matter seem to think the whole situation should be an easy decision for the Nets.
“If they do not give Kyrie what he wants, that organization is going to be kicking themselves for a long time to come,” one Western Conference executive told Fastbreak. “There is no replacing a talent like him and you think they would have learned from their mistakes in that Harden debacle seeing as they have nothing to deal with in terms of rebuilding through the draft.”
Another league source that spoke with Fastbreak recently pointed out that if Kyrie was to be traded ahead of this season’s trade deadline, Kevin Durant would instantly become every team’s top target heading into the offseason.
It is still possible that the Nets could hold onto Irving past the trade deadline on Thursday and play out the rest of the season, but various reports suggest that Brooklyn is looking to move on from the All-Star guard right now.
Whether or not Kyrie Irving would sit out games should he remain with the Nets is another key question with no answer presented yet. Should he remain with the Nets and when Durant returns from his current MCL injury, this team could still potentially go on a run and end up as the top-seed in the Eastern Conference.
Winning has cured a lot of things in this league in the past and this still remains a potential road for Brooklyn to go down, especially if they are able to advance far into the postseason.
Durant and Irving joined the Nets ahead of the 2019-20 season with the goal of winning a championship together and they shared this same passion at the start of the season. Whether or not they can try and fulfill their goals depends on what general manager Sean Marks and the team’s front-office decides to do in regards to trade discussions, as a few teams have already shown interest in Kyrie Irving.
There is no secret amongst league circles that the Los Angeles Lakers are interested in moving Russell Westbrook and two first-round picks, one in 2027 and one in 2029, for Irving and the Dallas Mavericks are another team that has shown interest in the Nets’ star guard in the past.
However, sources told Fastbreak that there are a handful of personnel and players within the Nets organization who have little to no interest in having Russell Westbrook be a part of this team. Should the Lakers heavily pursue Kyrie Irving at the trade deadline, they will need a third team that is willing to facilitate this deal.
Dallas is wanting to upgrade their roster and talent around Luka Doncic ahead of this year’s deadline and Irving would certainly be a welcomed addition in terms of immediate production and scoring next to Doncic. Christian Wood, Spencer Dinwiddie and Tim Hardaway Jr. could all be viewed as "win-now" pieces for Brooklyn to take back in a potential deal.
The Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers are three other teams to keep an eye on in regards to potential trade talk surrounding Irving.
Steve Ballmer has never been afraid to spend money in taxes to add championship-level talent to his team and the Clippers have been in search of backcourt help in trade discussions over the last several weeks.
Mike Conley (Utah Jazz), Fred VanVleet (Toronto Raptors) and Terry Rozier (Charlotte Hornets) are all players Los Angeles has checked in on recently, league sources told Fastbreak, and Irving is the player at the top of their list.
The Clippers have been in touch with the Nets and have already begun making offers for Kyrie Irving. Sources say there is traction between the two teams on potentially getting a deal done ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline, but Brooklyn will be fielding offers from all the teams interested in Irving to try and maximize his value.
Things could get very interesting over the next few days, especially if the Lakers’ front-office and the Clippers’ front-office begin to battle it out in trade negotiations for Kyrie Irving, a player that could instantly make a positive impact for either team’s chances of winning a title this season.
Other News, Notes & Rumors From Around The NBA:
Atlanta Hawks: John Collins remains a player being brought up in trade discussions, yet Atlanta seems comfortable with the idea of keeping Collins in attempts to work through their struggles internally. Bogdan Bogdanovic is a player that the Atlanta Hawks could look to move at the deadline for value with the Lakers, Mavericks, Pelicans and Cavaliers all expressing interest in Bogdanovic this season.
Charlotte Hornets: Terry Rozier remains the Charlotte Hornets best trade asset ahead of the trade deadline, as the team has shown a sense of hesitation in discussions centered on Jalen McDaniels and P.J. Washington. The Lakers have remained in contact with Charlotte about a potential trade involving Russell Westbrook and the Clippers have also shown interest Rozier. The belief around the league is that Charlotte is looking for two first-round picks for the 28-year-old guard.
Chicago Bulls: Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan are not expected to be on the move ahead of the trade deadline, as sources say the Chicago Bulls have not given much attention to teams inquiring about either All-Star talent. However, the Bulls have listened to offers that have come their way for center Nikola Vucevic, although many believe that the team will hold onto Vucevic and sign him to a new extension. As far as other players on their roster, Chicago has an insanely high asking price for Alex Caruso, causing many to suspect that the Bulls will not trade him unless they are receiving two first-round picks, one of which being unprotected. Rival organizations are viewing the Bulls as a competitive team that is looking to buy in the market right now instead of sell.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Along with the Bucks, Lakers and Mavericks still having a level of interest in New York Knicks forward Cam Reddish, the Cleveland Cavaliers have also reached out to New York recently in regards to the 23-year-old wing. The Knicks are seeking a second-round pick for Reddish, something Cleveland is willing to give up. If the Cavs were to trade for Cam Reddish, either Cedi Osman or Dylan Windler would likely be sent to the Knicks in an attempt for them to remain below the tax line.
Golden State Warriors: As reported back in January, the Golden State Warriors are not showing a willingness to move on from their young, recent first-round picks such as James Wiseman or Moses Moody, and there are still no indications pointing towards them doing so ahead of this week's deadline.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Naz Reid has suddenly become a frontcourt player being mentioned in trade talks around the league, as many are of the opinion that the Minnesota Timberwolves big man would like a fresh start somewhere else. The Clippers, Kings, Nuggets and 76ers all have interest in Reid.
Philadelphia 76ers: Popular opinion around the league is that the Philadelphia 76ers will be moving Matisse Thybulle, Jaden Springer or Furkan Kormaz before the trade deadline in order to move under the tax line for this season. With Thybulle garnering interest league-wide though, the 76ers could net a key secondary talent for their bench by trading him before the expiration of his rookie contract this summer.
Utah Jazz: Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley continue to be pursued around the league and HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto recently reported that the Knicks offered Obi Toppin, Evan Fournier and draft compensation to the Utah Jazz for both Vanderbilt and Beasley. The Jazz have also received interest in Jarred Vanderbilt from the 76ers, Pacers and Trail Blazers, as The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that Portland has emerged as a strong suitor for the 23-years-old forward. Nassir Little is a player that some who have spoken with Fastbreak believe could be moved from the Blazers to acquire Vanderbilt.
Washington Wizards: Will Barton is being viewed as a possible buyout candidate for several playoff contending teams like the Bucks, Celtics and Nuggets, the team that traded him this past offseason, should the Washington Wizards be unable to move him in a trade ahead of Thursday.
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