Kyrie Irving’s adventure in New York could end soon. The controversial Brooklyn Nets star reportedly called for a trade on Friday.
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This has been reported by a variety of sources, including the ESPN network. Irving, who will be entitled to full autonomy by the end of the campaign, has expressed his desire to develop under other skies after unsuccessful contract negotiations with the networks’ staff.
This is quite a surprising decision as the 30-year-old athlete is finally experiencing success and stability with the Big Apple team. Irving was named to his association’s starting XI for the All-Star Game and led the Nets to a 31-20 record and fourth-place finish in the East.
In 40 games, he averaged 27.1 points and 5.3 assists per game.
General Manager Sean Marks has just six days to house the 2016 Larry O’Brien Trophy lifter since the NBA’s trade deadline is Feb. 9. Irving’s $36.9 million annual salary won’t make Marks’ job any easier either.
Perpetually unsatisfied, Irving has gotten a lot of ink spilled since arriving at the Silver Circuit. After winning a championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he was traded to the Boston Celtics in 2017 because he no longer wanted to be overshadowed by LeBron James.
He didn’t leave the Massachusetts metropolis in a good mood in 2019, and his visits to TD Garden are consistently interrupted by loud boos. Notably, he was fined $50,000 last season for showing the middle finger to Boston fans.
Since signing a four-year deal with the Nets, Irving has been embroiled in controversy, initially over his refusal to get a COVID-19 shot. Most recently, he was banned for five games by his own team after sharing a film with anti-Semitic content.
According to specialist site Spotrac, the Melbourne native has lost more than $17 million in salary since the start of his career due to his multiple suspensions.
According to various bookies, the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks are the three teams most likely to take on Irving.