Kyrie Irving wants out of the Brooklyn Nets organization.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported the Nets’ recent contract offer infuriated Irving‘s camp with certain, unspecified contract “stipulations.”
According to Stephen A. Smith of ESPN, Irving will sit out the rest of the season if the Nets do not acquiesce to his trade demands.
Stephen A.: "I'm told [Mavs, Suns, Lakers & Clippers] will pay [Kyrie Irving]. Now whether that's a 4-year guarantee or whatever, it remains to be seen. They'd give him more than Brooklyn would give him… He is prepared [I'm told] to sit out the rest of the season if need be." pic.twitter.com/kRRHnQGzdl
— 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧' 𝐍𝐁𝐀 (@_Talkin_NBA) February 5, 2023
“I’m told the [Dallas Mavericks, the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers] will pay [Irving],” Smith said Saturday on NBA Countdown. “Now, whether that’s a 4-year guarantee or whatever, it remains to be seen. They’d give him more than Brooklyn would give him… He is prepared [I’m told] to sit out the rest of the season if need be.”
The Lakers are reportedly the team in the lead for Irving’s services. Star LeBron James sent a clear message about the potential trade on Saturday night following a 131-126 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
LeBron was asked if Kyrie is a piece that can help get the Lakers to the finish line, and he started his answer by saying "that's a Rob [Pelinka] question," but ended it by also saying "that's a 'duh' question."
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) February 5, 2023
“LeBron was asked if Kyrie is a piece that can help get the Lakers to the finish line, and he started his answer by saying ‘that’s a Rob [Pelinka] question,’ but ended it by also saying ‘that’s a ‘duh’ question.'”
Only time will tell if Irving joins the Lakers, or another team, or misses the rest of the season entirely.
