Kyrie Irving Sends Message to Nets Fans After Trade to Mavericks

Kyrie Irving Sends Message to Nets Fans After Trade to Mavericks

Edwin Kiplagat
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:24 PM
  • Kyrie Irving has sent a parting message to Brooklyn Nets fans after he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks
  • Irving asked to be traded from the Nets last Friday ahead of the trade deadline or he will leave in free agency
  • The 30-year-old now forms a formidable partnership with MVP candidate Luka Doncic

Kyrie Irving has sent a lovely message to Brooklyn Nets fans after the guard was traded to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, February 5th.

The 30-year-old shockingly requested a trade on Friday ahead of the February 9th trade deadline. He asked the team to move him before Thursday or he will leave in free agency.

Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Luka Doncic
Dallas will be Irving's 4th NBA team. Photo by Jonathan Bachman.
Source: Getty Images

The Nets traded the 30-year-old to the Mavericks for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a first-round and multiple second-round draft picks, according to the Athletic.

The 2011 NBA champions are also sending a 2029 unprotected first-round pick, a 2027 second-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick to the Nets. Markieff Morris will also join Dallas.

Exciting feature: Check out news exactly for YOU ➡️ click on "Recommended for you" and enjoy!

Irving now joins All-Star Luka Doncic, ending a tumultuous four-year spell in Brooklyn. He was suspended late last year for sharing a link to a movie that contained anti-Semitic themes.

The Nets had offered the guard an extension, but he rejected it.

Irving's message to Nets fans

Irving is having a phenomenal season so far. He is averaging 27.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists. He kept the Nets afloat with Kevin Durant ruled out with an MCL injury.

The 2016 NBA champion opted into the final season of his deal in the summer, a move that shocked many NBA fans. He took to Twitter to send a message to Nets fans.

"Thank you NetsWorld fans and supporters for the Love on and off the court. I will forever be grateful I got to live out my dream I had as a Kid with y’all. It will always be Love from me and my family."

The Los Angeles Lakers discussed possible deals with the Nets for Irving, but the Mavericks offered a better package, per ESPN.

Irving pays tribute to James

Irving was expected to join former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate LeBron James in Los Angeles, but it wasn't to be. James and Irving played three seasons at Cleveland, winning the 2016 NBA title in dramatic fashion.

James is set to become NBA's all-time scoring leader this week. He is 36 points away from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record which has stood for nearly 40 years.

Irving said hailed the longevity of the 38-year-old currently playing in his 20th NBA season.

Sports Brief earlier reported James refusing to comment on Irving's links to the Lakers before the guard was traded to the Mavericks.

He said those questions should be directed to the team's general manager Rob Pelinka. Lakers fans were calling on the Lakers to acquire Irving.

James recently hinted that he wanted more to be done to improve the roster which has struggled this season in the NBA.

Authors
Edwin Kiplagat photo
Edwin Kiplagat
Edwin Kiplagat has five years of experience in journalism working as a Sports Editor at Africa Insight Communications and ESPN. Edwin Kiplagat is a Bachelor's Degree holder in journalism from the Multimedia University of Kenya.