Kyrie Irving made big headlines throughout the 2021-22 NBA season ābut not exactly because of his work on the floor, as it wasnāt until January that he suited up for the Nets. Before then,he drew a lot of attention regardless.
Having refused to comply with the New York City vaccine mandate for private employers, Irving stood on the sidelines for the first half of the season. The team could have counted on Kyrie for away games, but it was unwillingto have him only on a part-time role.
The Nets eventually gave in and welcomed Irving back even if he couldnāt play in Brooklyn. But there was some point in which they reportedly considered parting with him, until Kevin Durant stepped in.
Rumor: Kevin Durant Stopped Nets From Trading Kyrie Irving
According to Rich Bucher of FOX Sports, the Nets were ready to move Irving halfway through last season. However, they reportedly backed out when Durantstood up for him, telling the team not to trade Kyrie:
āIām told that they wanted to trade Kyrie midway through this past season, and Kevin Durant told them absolutely not. And they went along with it. Now, Iāve also been told while theyāre still good friends that maybe KD doesnāt value him quite the same way as a teammate. Iām not so sure about that.ā
Kevin Durant Has āChecked Outā of Brooklyn
āThese are two individuals (Sean Marks and Steve Nash) that thereās a level of displeasure towards, that there might even be a level, like, get these guys out of there. But to actually make that direct ultimatum, that was not something that happened before this weekend. And I think once that happened, itās clear that mentally, emotionally, like heās checked out, like heās not there in Brooklyn,ā Shams Charania said on the Pat McAfee Show. āAnd so, thatās what I think has created all of this.ā
Despite the efforts the team has made through the years to tailor the roster the way he wanted, Durant made it clear he wants out of Brooklyn. Now itappears to bea matter of time before he finds a new home.
