Kyrie Irving Reportedly Traded To Dallas Mavericks From Brooklyn Nets

Topline

Controversial NBA player Kyrie Irving has been traded to the Dallas Mavericks, owned by billionaire Mark Cuban, several outlets reported Sunday, days after Irving—who has faced criticism for an antisemitic tweet and for his stance on Covid-19 vaccines—reportedly requested to be traded from the Brooklyn Nets.

Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets shoots a free throw during the second quarter of the game against … [+] the New York Knicks at Barclays Center on January 28, 2023 in New York City.

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Key Facts

In return for Irving, the Nets will receive Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith, according to Bleacher Report, ESPN and the Athletic, all citing anonymous sources.

The Nets will also receive a 2029 first-round draft pick, a 2027 second-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick, according to the Athletic.

Markieff Morris will be traded to Dallas along with Irving, according to the Athletic.

The trade will be completed once both teams have a call with the NBA, according to the Associated Press.

Key Background

On Friday, it was reported that Irving requested to be traded off the Nets ahead of the NBA’s Thursday trade deadline. Irving, 30, has played for the Nets since 2019, a time in which he was no stranger to controversy. Irving sat out during home games in the 2021-2022 season because he was unvaccinated for Covid-19, and has said he missed out on a four-year, $100 million contract extension for doing so. Irving was benched last year for eight games after he promoted antisemitic content on social media, causing him to lose roughly $3.6 million before he eventually apologized and returned to the team. Nike cut ties with him in December after the fallout. Despite his controversial actions, Irving is one of the league’s top scorers and was recently chosen as a starting NBA All Star.

Big Number

Over $36.9 million. That’s how much Irving is expected to make in the 2022-2023 season. In 2021, Irving made Forbes’ list of the highest-paid athletes, with estimated earnings of $44 million, though he dropped off the list last year.

Forbes Valuation

We estimate Cuban’s net worth at $4.6 billion. The Mavericks were the eighth-most valuable NBA team last year, at $3.3 billion according to Forbes’ estimates.

Tangnet

Irving will join star Luka Dončić on the Mavericks, who was also selected as a starting NBA All Star.