Most analysts predicted that the Kevin Durant–Kyrie Irving duo could either be historically dominant or implode when things got tough. Three years later, we can all agree that one of those predictions was right on point.
Irving failed to show his commitment to the organization, so the Nets didn’t want to sign him to a contract extension. He responded by trying to force his way out, once again running away from any sort of accountability.
Durant had his back through all the ups and downs. But enough is enough, even for good friends like him. That’s why, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, KD’s trade request wasn’t about leaving the Nets but forcingthem to move Kyrie.
NBA Rumors: Kevin Durant Requested A Trade So The Nets Trade Kyrie Irving Instead
“There is a school of thought speaking to people around the league that they think that the Durant trade request wasn’t actually about him getting out of Brooklyn, it was about getting Kyrie out of Brooklyn,” McMenamin said.
“But the reason why this thing is all kinda stuck in the mud right now is that the Nets will not make a major move like that with Kyrie until they are 100% crystal clear that the true intention of Kevin Durant would be to move off of Kyrie in order to stay,” McMenamin added. “And as of my last couple of nights in Vegas, I left there about a week ago, that still remained up in the air. It was all in a period of stasis because Brooklyn was not ready to make a major move until they are completely sure that they have the understanding of what it would take to keep Kevin Durant in a Nets uniform.”
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Honestly, can you blame him? Kyrie went MIA to go party in his second season with the team. Then, he was allowed to be a part-time player, and it took a toll on the team’s on-court chemistry.
As talented as he is, Irving has a track record of being unreliable, which is why there’s been little-to-no interest in trading for him now that he’s available. For now, KD is stuck with his good-old friend.
