By Harvey Hoffman
It seems in the NBA there’s a sucker born every minute.
Or at least a sucker GM!
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the Brooklyn Nets are trading Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks.
The Mavericks are sending Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, a 2029 first-round pick and two second-round picks to the Nets in exchange for Irving, sources said.
Irving’s tenure in Brooklyn ends after a tumultuous four seasons that included injuries, dozens of missed games due to a refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and a suspension this season for promoting a movie that contained antisemitic themes.
Irving, 30, opted into the final season of his deal in the summer but requested a trade earlier this week after failing to reach an agreement with Brooklyn on an extension.
Irving, who is in the final year of a deal that pays him $36.9 million, has been seeking in the neighborhood of a four-year, $198.5 million maximum extension available to him until June 30, sources said. He is also eligible to sign a two-year, $78.6 million extension with the Mavericks until June 30.
Irving has played less than 150 games combined over the last four seasons but remained a max-level player when he was on the court. Irving is averaging just over 27 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game this season on excellent efficiency.
