Knicks fans get last laugh with stunning Kyrie Irving Nets trade request
Friday seemed like it was going to be a somewhat normal day in the NBA with the trade deadline six days away, but instead, it turned out to be the exact opposite. In an unexpected (emphasis on unexpected) turn of events, Shams Charania broke the news that Kyrie Irving has requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets.
This is something that New York Knicks fans can appreciate more than any other fan base, considering that the team is still clowned for not landing Irving and Kevin Durant in 2019 free agency.
What’s even better about Irving’s trade request is that after a shaky start to the 2022-23 season, the Nets currently sit in No. 4 in the East with a 31-20 record. Without KD, who suffered an MCL sprain in Brooklyn’s win over Miami on Jan. 8, Brooklyn has gone 4-7. Durant hasn’t been ruled out for the All-Star Game and was expected to play again after the All-Star break.
Things seemed to be on the up over there in Nets World, but Brooklyn hasn’t been able to go long periods without some sort of drama popping up.
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
Knicks fans get unexpected good news with Kyrie Irving-Nets trade request
It was less than a week ago when Kyrie Irving put the Knicks to bed in the fourth quarter with 32 points to lead the Nets to a 122-115 win. Nets fans were praising Irving for coming up clutch in the fourth quarter, something that he’s known for, while also taking jabs at Knicks fans as the Nets earned their ninth-straight win over New York in a game without Kevin Durant.
My oh my, look how the tables have turned. With Shams Charania reporting that Irving prefers to be moved ahead of the Feb. 9 deadline, Brooklyn’s hopes of winning its first title have gone down the drain. It’d be best for the Nets to get rid of him now rather than waiting until after the season when either his trade value will be down or he’ll sign with a new team in free agency and leave Brooklyn with nothing.
This is good news for the Knicks for multiple reasons, but with New York being No. 7 in the Eastern Conference, Brooklyn derailing and sliding down the rankings could be what helps the Knicks secure a top-six seed. That would be poetic.
What goes around comes around. See ya, Kyrie!
