The dust has barely settled on Kyrie Irving’s trade from the Brooklyn Nets to the Dallas Mavericks and already whispers have emerged surrounding Kevin Durant’s future in New York.
Irving and Markieff Morris were traded to the Mavericks on Monday (AEDT), with the Nets receiving Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, a 2029 first round draft pick as well as two second round picks.
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It’s left Durant and Aussie superstar Ben Simmons as the main event attractions at the Nets, but according to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, Simmons could be the sole attraction very soon.
Tue, 07 Feb
Tuesday February 7th
MORE COVERAGE We’re not listening: Nets owner’s petty move against Kyrie exposed LeBron’s cryptic tweet as biggest ‘obstacle’ to Lakers’ blockbuster Kyrie trade revealed How ‘high-risk’ all-in move exposed brutal truth behind ‘disrespectful’ NBA mural LAKERS’ PLAN B REVEALED AFTER IRVING FAILURE After missing out on major trade target Kyrie Irving, the Los Angeles Lakers have now had to turn to their Plan B for trades to give the team a boost as it looks to push into the play-off spots. The Lakers’ reportedly offered the Nets a trade package including Russell Westbrook as well as two first round picks, but it was ultimately rebuffed. It’s left the Lakers searching for new trade partners and, according to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the Toronto Raptors and Utah Jazz have “repeatedly popped up” as backup options. “Both teams have been lined to the Lakers in recent weeks and have starter-level players who have been rumoured to be available,” Buha said. “However, talks remain preliminary and nothing is imminent.” In terms of which Jazz players could be on the table, Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer reports it “would almost certainly” include Malik Beasley, Mike Conley and Jarred Vanerbilt, with Westbrook heading the other way. As for a Raptors player that the Lakers could eye up, USA Today’s Jeff Zillgitt linked the franchise with a swoop for Toronto’s Fred VanVleet. DON’T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU ON THE WAY OUT, DINWIDDIE Just as quickly as he arrived in Brooklyn, Spencer Dinwiddie could find himself with yet another new team. Dinwiddie was part of the package sent from the Mavericks in the Kyrie Irving trade as he returned to Brooklyn for his second stint with the franchise. However, renowned NBA reporter Marc Stein claims the Nets have “not ruled out” the possibility of trading Dinwiddie. The 29-year-old would likely find himself involved in a trade package for the Nets to try and bring in another All-Star to give Kevin Durant some much-needed firepower in the team.
