Tag: Brooklyn Nets

Woj: Brooklyn Nets want Kevin Durant to stay committed to team moving forward

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Brooklyn Nets want Kevin Durant to stay committed to the team as it tries to build around him before the trade deadline.

The Brooklyn Nets want superstar Kevin Durant to stay committed to the team as it tries to build the team around him, according to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski. There have been multiple reports that the Nets are not done making moves before the trade deadline and that they intend to use the first-round picks they own and some of the players on the roster to get a star player.

On Sunday, Brooklyn traded Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris to the Dallas Mavericks for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith and draft picks. With the understanding that Durant and Irving are close to each other, it makes sense Brooklyn wants it known they want to keep Durant and try to win a championship.

What makes this situation more unsettling than usual is that Durant requested a trade in the offseason for reasons related to the leadership structure. After it was clear teams were unwilling to give the Nets what they wanted for Durant, he rescinded his trade request. There has been no indication on what Durant is thinking at this time. Wojnarowski explained the Nets thinking on “NBA Countdown” on Sunday:

“Now for Brooklyn, they want to get back to work. They’ve got the three picks they got in this trade, they have a future Philadelphia first-round pick and they’ll be aggressive with those picks to go out between now and Thursday’s trade deadline to try to get more help around Kevin Durant. Quite honestly, this is an organization that wants Kevin Durant to stay committed to stay the course with this reshaping of this roster. They’re going to continue between now and Thursday to do that.”

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fv0185pfxtewh01r player_id=01eqbvq570kgj8vfs7 image=]

[listicle id=50992]

[listicle id=50995]

Kyrie Irving is ‘ecstatic’ to join the Mavs, but NBA fans recall that he has used that exact phrase before

We’re ecstatic about the trade and looking forward to seeing how this one plays out.

Kyrie Irving is on his way from the Brooklyn Nets to the Dallas Mavericks, and he is reportedly looking forward to his time with the new franchise.

Who wouldn’t be excited to play alongside Luka Doncic? Irving will join forces with a 23-year-old MVP candidate who is currently averaging 33.4 points as well as 8.9 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game.

According to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, Irving is said to be “ecstatic” about the trade from the Nets to the Mavericks. Irving could make his debut for Dallas as soon as Wednesday when they play against the Clippers in Los Angeles.

We can take Irving’s word and believe him when he says that he is genuinely excited to suit up for Dallas. But there is one not-so-tiny problem that should not be forgotten.

NBA fans have heard this song and dance from Irving before, and he hasn’t even changed the lyrics. For example, while some worried that he may have wanted to leave Cleveland before LeBron James returned in 2014, he signed a five-year, $190 million extension.

Here is what he said when he signed this deal with the Cavs in 2014:

“I’m here for the long haul Cleveland!!!! And I’m ecstatic!!” Irving wrote on his Twitter account shortly after the agreement was reached. “Super excited and blessed to be here and a part of something special.”

Does that phrasing sound familiar? Irving said he was “ecstatic” and it ended up becoming a theme during his professional career.

While he eventually won a title alongside James in Cleveland, Irving later request a trade from the Cavs. When he was finally moved to the Celtics in August 2017, Irving once again said he was (you guessed it!) “ecstatic” about starting this new chapter.

He didn’t last long in Boston, however, and the two parties moved closer and closer to an inevitable divorce before the Celtics were eventually eliminated in the postseason.

Irving later left the Celtics for the Nets during free agency in summer 2019.

Now that his time with the Nets has concluded as well, we should believe Irving when he says that he is “ecstatic” about getting a chance to start over and play for a contender in the Western Conference.

But just because he uses words like this now does not mean that it will be his tune during his entire tenure in Dallas.

For example, according to league insider Marc Stein, Irving has “not been promised” a new contract with the Mavericks. Will the All-Star guard remain to be “ecstatic” as Dallas management takes a “wait and see” approach about a potential new deal?

The Athletic’s John Hollinger reportedly spoke to several executives, and they wondered if this trade “ends up pushing Dončić to seek the exits” once everything is all said and done. It is hard to imagine that Irving would still be ecstatic then.

If all goes well, Irving will have a normal and distraction-free tenure with the Mavericks that ends up with him winning his first title sans LeBron. If it blows up again, as it has at his previous stops, fans will remember why they were initially skeptical to hear he was ecstatic about the trade.

Ian Begley: Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors have talked about trade post-Irving deal

Before the Brooklyn Nets traded Kyrie Irving, they talked to the Raptors about a subsequent deal, according to NBA reporter Ian Begley.

While the Brooklyn Nets were negotiating with teams regarding a Kyrie Irving trade, members of the Nets organization touched base with the Toronto Raptors on a subsequent deal, according to NBA reporter Ian Begley.

On Sunday, Irving and Markieff Morris were traded to the Dallas Mavericks for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, an unprotected first-round pick in 2027 and second-round picks in 2027 and 2029.

Brooklyn ended up trading Irving after his trade request became public on Friday. Irving wanted to be traded because he and the organization were unable to come to terms on a contract extension that satisfied both parties. Now that the Irving trade has been completed, the Nets have at least three first-round picks and some role players to use as assets in another trade to possibly go after a player such as Raptors’ big Pascal Siakam.

With Toronto not doing so hot this season, many around the NBA believe it will be sellers as we approach the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 9. Despite the team being 25-30 (tied for 11th in the Eastern Conference), it still has a talented enough roster to possibly make a playoff run after the All-Star break.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fv0185pfxtewh01r player_id=01eqbvq570kgj8vfs7 image=]

[listicle id=50986]

[listicle id=50884]

Stephen A. Smith and Jay Williams had the most awkwardly heated Kyrie Irving argument on First Take

“Stop telling us what you find interesting, and just tell us what you FEEL!”

In the wake of Sunday’s blockbuster Kyrie Irving trade to the Mavericks, members of the NBA world have started to discuss the fallout.

For one, how will Irving fit in with Luka Doncic? Are the Mavericks that much better, especially in regard to winning a potential title? What about where LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers go from here?

On First Take Monday morning, it appeared that ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and Jay Williams tried to have a conversation about Irving and what went wrong with the Brooklyn Nets. However, this interaction quickly went off the rails as Williams seemed to have an issue with how Smith apparently talks about Irving on-air sometimes.

Warning: The evident discomfort is a lot to handle.

I’m not sure whether Williams’ critique of Smith has any merit, but it’s hard not to see why he got frustrated over the insinuation of his integrity. And to have the reaction and backlash toward Williams happen live on air? While Tim Legler sat there in silence?

Man, that is just so awkward.

Nets vs. Clippers game preview: How to watch, TV channel, start time

Here’s your preview of Nets-Clippers on Monday.

The Brooklyn Nets (32-20, fourth in the Eastern Conference) host the Los Angeles Clippers (30-26, fourth in the Western Conference) at Barclays Center on Monday for the second and final matchup between the two teams this season. Brooklyn leads the regular-season series 1-0.

In the first game, a Nets 110-95 win, Kevin Durant scored 27 points to lead Brooklyn to the win over the Clippers. This win improved the Nets to 4-1 during Kyrie Irving’s team-imposed suspension that ended up being eight games.

Brooklyn comes into this game having won five of its past 12 games, including a 125-123 win over the Washington Wizards on Saturday in which Brooklyn came back from a 23-point deficit. The Los Angeles Clippers come into this game having won three of its last five games, including a 134-128 overtime win over the New York Knicks on Saturday. Brooklyn also traded Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris on Sunday so they won’t be available for this matchup.

Here’s when and where you can tune in to see the matchup:

Chris Haynes: Phoenix Suns will pursue Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin Durant if he’s available

The Phoenix Suns are prepared to go after Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant if he becomes available, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes.

The Phoenix Suns are prepared to pursue Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant if he becomes available, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes. This news comes following the Nets trading Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.

All evidence suggests Durant and Irving are really close, so some wonder if Durant will want to stay in Brooklyn now that Irving has been traded. There has been no reporting on how Durant feels about the trade, but time will tell if he is happy with the trade or not.

Durant is rehabbing a sprained MCL in his right knee that has kept him sidelined for a month. Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn recently said he expects an update on Durant soon. As a result of the Irving trade, Brooklyn has a number of first-round picks it can use to help acquire another player or two before the trade deadline on Feb. 9.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fv0185pfxtewh01r player_id=none image=]

[listicle id=50986]

NBA Twitter reacts to Brooklyn Nets trading Kyrie Irving to the Mavericks

Here’s how NBA Twitter reacted to the Nets trading Kyrie Irving to the Mavericks.

After Kyrie Irving’s trade request became public news on Friday, it was only a matter of time before Irving was traded given the circumstances. When the news dropped on Sunday that the Brooklyn Nets traded Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, and picks, it appeared to set Twitter ablaze.

From pundits to players, it looks like everyone had something additional to report on the fallout of the trade or wanted to give their own reaction to the transaction. Irving has had NBA Twitter waiting under baited breath to see what the Nets were going to do regarding Irving’s trade demand. There were some who thought that Brooklyn was just calling Irving’s bluff or that the Nets would just hold onto Irving in order to keep Durant happy.

With all of the speculation surrounding Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets, it was only a matter of time before something gave in. In the end, the Nets gave Irving what he wanted with the trade. Here’s how NBA Twitter reacted to the trade:

Woj: Brooklyn Nets preferred Dallas Mavericks’ trade package over Lakers’ offer

The Nets preferred the Mavericks’ trade package over the Lakers could handle, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Brooklyn Nets preferred what the Dallas Mavericks had to offer over what the Los Angeles Lakers could give to the Nets, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

On Sunday, the Brooklyn Nets traded Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris to the Mavericks for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 unprotected first-round pick and second-round picks in 2027 and 2029.

Most reports stated the offer from the Lakers included their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks and probably guard Russell Westbrook for salary-matching purposes. Per Woj, the Nets preferred the Mavericks’ trade package because they were able to get a guard and wing to immediately plug into their rotations along with picks that most likely will be used to be more moves before the trade deadline.

It makes sense the Nets balked at the Lakers’ offer since Westbrook isn’t the same guy he was when he won the MVP award for the 2016-2017 season. It looks like the trade with the Mavericks gives the Nets two quality players to add to the team as well as the ammunition to go after another star player to help Kevin Durant contend for this season’s title.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fv0185pfxtewh01r player_id=01eqbvq570kgj8vfs7 image=]

[listicle id=50940]

[listicle id=50944]

Spencer Dinwiddie reacts to being traded to the Brooklyn Nets

Looks like Spencer Dinwiddie is having fun with finding out about his trade to the Brooklyn Nets.

A bombshell dropped on Sunday when multiple NBA insiders reported the Brooklyn Nets had traded Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris to the Dallas Mavericks for former Net Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith and three picks.

After Irving’s trade request became public on Friday, it took two days for a trade to happen, and it appears Dinwiddie will be coming back to Brooklyn.

Dinwiddie spent five seasons with the Nets (2016-2021) and during that time, he averaged 14.3 points and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 41.7% from the field and 32.6% from behind the 3-point line. Over that span, he was part of two playoff runs, albeit being first-round exits, with Brooklyn while they were coached by Kenny Atkinson.

Since Dinwiddie was sent to the Washington Wizards from the Brooklyn Nets in 2021 via a sign-and-trade, he also played for the Dallas Mavericks before being traded back to Brooklyn. If his tweet is any indication, it looks like Dinwiddie is having fun with the situation.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fv0185pfxtewh01r player_id=01eqbvq570kgj8vfs7 image=]

[listicle id=50940]

[listicle id=50944]

Winners (the Nets) and losers (LOL LeBron James) of the Kyrie Irving trade to Mavericks

LeBron has to be feeling just TERRIBLE!

Kyrie Irving’s trade to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday afternoon sent a bevy of shockwaves across the NBA.

For example, players couldn’t believe the Brooklyn Nets would actually trade the All-Star guard. At the same time, fans considered the comical consequences for LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers. And meanwhile, we were over here wondering about Irving’s fit with Luka Doncic as the Mavericks’ title odds were adjusted by bettors accordingly.

The weeks and months ahead will have a more definitive answer on who came out on top from the mega-trade of Irving. But, with the initial dust settled, let’s examine the immediate winners and losers of one of the league’s top players changing teams and conferences.

The best takes and the sharpest bets on all the hoops storylines you need to know. Sign up for our Layup Lines newsletter, hitting your inbox on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.