There’ll be a lot to parse through about what the Brooklyn Nets did when they traded Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in just about a week, but it seems clear their situation wasn’t healthy.
Take Irving’s honesty after he learned of Durant’s trade to the Phoenix Suns. Not only did the guard quash any apparent lingering beef between the two superstars, he said he’s happy the 34-year-old Durant “got out” of the crumbling Brooklyn onto a contender.
For someone who Irving will likely have to compete with for a deep playoff run in the Western Conference, these were rather interestingly timed comments about the Nets. That, or he’s just really genuinely happy for a former teammate. Maybe both?
Kyrie Irving reacts to the Kevin Durant trade to Phoenix: “I’m just glad he got out of there”
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) February 9, 2023
Indeed. Irving will likely get to “see” Durant a little bit more. His Dallas Mavericks will see Durant’s Suns twice over the next few months. And that’s just in the regular season alone, not including any potential playoff battles.
If we get an Irving-Durant playoff matchup, hoo boy — get your popcorn ready.