Kyrie Irving has been traded to the Dallas Mavericks. The Brooklyn Nets are sending Irving and Markieff Morris to Dallas in return for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2027 second-round pick, a 2029 first-round pick, and a 2029 second-round pick. Irving was traded two days after his initial request to part ways with the Nets. After plenty of controversy between the All-Star guard and the organization, the two finally decided it was time for new beginnings.
Irving averaged 27.1 points, 5.8 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game as a Brooklyn Net. Due to injury, vaccine issues, and media problems, Irving only suited up 143 games across four seasons for Brooklyn.
For Dallas?
Irving does have problems staying on the court, but when he is on the court, he is one of the league’s best at putting the ball in the basket. This will be Luka Doncic‘s best teammate by far in his young career. Regarding the question of if two ball-dominant guards can co-exist, Irving made it work with James Harden before injuries and trade requests dismantled the team. Irving also played with LeBron James. Two examples of Irving making things work with ball-dominant players.
This Mavericks team did lose two rotational pieces but was able to keep Christian Wood who has been terrific for Dallas this season. Jason Kidd will be able to give Doncic much-needed rest and can lower his usage rate in time for a surging playoff run.
For Brooklyn
The Nets did not have much leverage to haul in a great package for Irving as he said we would sit and not re-sign if he was not dealt before Thursday’s trade deadline. The Nets still have a shot at championship aspirations with All-NBA forward Kevin Durant. Assuming Durant does not request another trade, he will be here for the remainder of the season. Brooklyn is also getting a familiar face back in Dinwiddie. He averaged a career-high 20.7 points with the Nets in the 2019-2020 season. Dinwiddie and Finney-Smith are good rotational pieces for Brooklyn.
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