BREAKING: Kyrie Irving Requests Trade From Nets

In a stunning announcement, Kyrie Irving has requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets by next week's trade deadline.

Breaking: Brooklyn Nets All-Star Kyrie Irving has requested a trade, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The franchise has been informed that Irving prefers to move on ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline – or will leave in free agency in July.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 3, 2023

Irving insists if he doesn't get a trade by next Thursday, he will leave Brooklyn in free agency this summer. 

According to several reports, the demand comes after the two sides were unable to reach agreement on an extension beyond this season. 

Reference on the Kyrie Irving situation. https://t.co/uhIvhuNK7J

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 3, 2023

As Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report notes, his agent (and stepmother) Shetellia Irving had recently said, “The desire is to make Brooklyn home, with the right type of extension, which means the ball is in the Nets’ court to communicate if their desire is the same.” 

Obviously, their desire was not the same.

Irving is on an expiring $36.9M contract.

He has a 15% trade kicker, currently valued at $2.1M that Brooklyn would be responsible for. https://t.co/NscBEmIw8H

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 3, 2023

Kyrie's contract expires at the end of the season. ESPN's Bobby Marks reports that he has a 15% trade kicker, currently valued at $2.1M that Brooklyn would be responsible for.

This all comes just eight months after Kevin Durant also suddenly demanded a trade from the Nets, though after a summer of threats, eventually decided to drop his demand. 

The Nets now have six days to complete a trade. It's most likely that the Los Angeles Lakers will be the first (and possibly only?) team to pick up the phone when Brooklyn GM Sean Marks calls. 

Photo: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports