NBA trade rumors: Kyrie Irving requests a trade out of Brooklyn

The Brooklyn Nets drama continues. According to Shams Charania on NBA trade rumors, Kyrie Irving has requested a trade.

At 31-20, the Brooklyn Nets sit at fourth in the Eastern Conference. The team, currently in the midst of a slump, has bounced back from off-court distractions and a rough start, winning as many as 12 games in a row this year.

Suddenly, though, the Nets are in a tailspin again, with star guard Kyrie Irving reportedly requesting a trade.

Shams Charania reported the news on Friday:

As Charania’s report notes, he would like to move on from the team by the trade deadline, and if not, he’ll depart in July.

Nets may be forced to make a move with Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving is on his way out one way or another. While the request comes as a bit of a surprise, it does give the Nets a chance to secure some assets for the star — assuming other teams want him — rather than losing him with nothing in return in free agency.

Irving, earlier this year, missed eight straight games due to a team suspension that followed him sharing a movie with antisemitic themes and refusing to apologize for doing so.

In seasons prior, Irving has created other off-court drama (like mysteriously disappearing for a while midseason in 2021) which could lower his trade value.

Irving is averaging 27.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game this year. Kevin Durant, the Nets’ other star, is under contract through 2026.