All it took was one game from James Harden for Brooklyn Nets fans to get “trade Kyrie” trending on Twitter.
The dream trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving could be trimmed to a duo, according to Brooklyn Nets fans on Twitter.
“Trade Kyrie” was trending on Saturday night after Harden lit up Orlando in his impressive Brooklyn debut.
Why was it so easy for Nets fans to turn on Irving and embrace Harden?
Harden had 32 points, 14 assists, 12 rebounds, 4 steals and a block in his first 40 minutes of action since being traded from Houston. He and Durant got along swimmingly on the court, as the latter put up 42 points in the 122-115 victory.
Meanwhile, Irving missed his sixth game since leaving the team for “personal reasons” over a week ago. He missed Saturday’s game after being fined by the NBA for violating health and safety protocols by attending a party without a mask.
With James Harden balling out and Kyrie Irving absent, Nets fans want a trade
Call it an overreaction, but some Nets fans are ready to pull the plug on Irving before even seeing him take the court with Harden and Durant.
Kyrie not needed.
— John - ONLY ON HERE, FACEBOOK & THREADS (@JohnErickson107) January 17, 2021
I said trade Kyrie to a team that has young, upcoming players and other vets to build out BKN depth. https://t.co/z1AjM84W3H
Nets should trade Kyrie and rebuild some depth or get a solid big
— ferda (@Ferdaa09) January 17, 2021
Trade Kyrie for any half decent 3 and D player and just let Harden run point for the season
— Jacob Rodgerson (@JRodgerson) January 16, 2021
The reaction of opposing fans to the trend was immediate.
James Harden been in Brooklyn for like 7 hours and trade Kyrie is already trending pic.twitter.com/yZXC9YxEwd
— Rj (@rjzizzo) January 17, 2021
Some of the best reactions imagined how Kyrie might react to the trend.
Kyrie enjoying his time off until he saw trade Kyrie trending on Twitter pic.twitter.com/cBwsoweDwZ
— Rich (@UptownDCRich) January 17, 2021
https://twitter.com/ActorTonyRomo/status/1350629110943506432?s=20
Others turned their sights on Russell Westbrook, who was traded to the Washington Wizards in December.
Russell Westbrook heading to the Brooklyn Nets locker room after seeing Trade Kyrie trending pic.twitter.com/YRNUf0iJsM
— You Know the vibes 💯 (@RonnieThaGreat) January 17, 2021
I realize “trade Kyrie for Westbrook” isn’t trending because it’s a real possibility, but if the old OKC trio of Russ, KD & Harden gets reunited in Brooklyn, the Nets should automatically be forced to trade Jeff Green to ESPN for Kendrick Perkins. pic.twitter.com/4tQG2mrW96
— Dan Kelley (@DanKelley66) January 17, 2021
Truthfully, talk of trading Kyrie didn’t even wait until Harden’s debut on Saturday.
Now trade Kyrie for Russ, you cowards.
— Shahan Ahmed (@shahanLA) January 13, 2021
It was already on the minds of some.
The Nets play next on Monday against the Milwaukee Bucks. Maybe fans will get their chance to see Durant, Harden and Irving then. Will the “Trade Kyrie” trend get even bigger? Or will a “Keep Kyrie” trend emerge?