Brooklyn Nets trade Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks are trading Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, a 2029 first-round pick and two second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for star point guard Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris. Shams Charania was the first to report the news.

The blockbuster trade makes way for an elite backcourt comprised of Irving and Luka Doncic, the NBA’s second-leading scorer at 33.4 points per game. Irving scores 27.1 points per outing, good for 11th in the league.

Rumors have run rampant since Irving requested a trade that he could end up with the Los Angeles Lakers alonside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Ultimately, he ended up in Dallas because the Nets didn’t feel like LA could trade them a point guard the caliber of Spencer Dinwiddie, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

This move also plays into Irving’s favor who has a history with Mavericks GM Nico Harrison, who know each other from their days with Nike. It will be Harrison’s job to re-sign Irving this offseason.

Kevin Durant is now the lone survivor of the would-be big three in Brooklyn that was comprised of him, Irving and James Harden. Harden was traded away to the 76ers last season and now Irving is gone to team up with Luka in Dallas.

Kyrie is the type of player who only plays for teams he believes can win him a ring. He knows his worth. After winning his one and only title with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he moved to the Boston Celtics and when that didn’t work out he was sent to Brooklyn. Now, he’s hoping to win title No. 2 with the Mavericks.

Dallas currently sits in sixth place in the Western Conference, which is 9.5 games back from the Denver Nuggets. The Mavericks will play the Utah Jazz on the road Monday night. Irving’s status for the game is unknown as of this report.