Kevin Durant and LeBron James are the two NBA stars most heavily impacted by Kyrie Irving’s decision to demand a trade from the Brooklyn Nets.
After something of a chaotic beginning to the 2022-23 NBA season, Durant seemed to be under the impression that Irving wasn’t going anywhere this year.
His teammate’s abrupt course-reversal on Friday caught Durant off guard.
“I’m told that the trade request surprised everyone in Brooklyn today, including Kevin Durant.”
Woj on Kyrie Irving’s trade request#NetsWorld pic.twitter.com/DCYLjT5YYZ
— 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧’ 𝐍𝐁𝐀 (@_Talkin_NBA) February 3, 2023
“I’m told that the trade request surprised everyone in Brooklyn today, including Kevin Durant,” Adrian Wojnarowski revealed on ESPN.
The status of Durant’s relationship with Irving has come under a lot of scrutiny over the past few months. The former even went so far as to defend the latter during his most recent controversy.
But obviously that didn’t earn Durant any long-term loyalty from Irving.
Meanwhile, James seems very intrigued regarding what all this could mean for the Los Angeles Lakers.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 3, 2023
Irving offered something of a cryptic message shortly after news of his trade demand broke, but nothing since then.
At the moment, the Lakers appear to be the likeliest landing spot for Irving. A general framework for a potential deal has been established, and now it is all about working out the smaller details.
The only potential roadblock at the moment seems to be L.A.’s instance that two players are off-limits in any potential swap.
Pau’s gift to Vanessa. https://t.co/R8PFpkpGCx
— Game 7 (@game7__) February 3, 2023
How big of a problem it will be remains to be seen.
The Lakers are in prime position to steal Irving from the Nets.
What will that mean for Irving’s relationship with both Durant and James long-term? Time will tell.
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A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
