Kyrie Irving once again has a new team

The latest Kyrie Irving saga has come to an end. After a few months of will-they-won’t-they, Irving’s latest trade request from the Brooklyn Nets – given Friday afternoon – was honored by the team on Sunday.

Next up to try to manage the incredibly talented yet eccentric point guard is the Dallas Mavericks. As first reported by Stadium’s Shams Charania, the Mavericks are sending point guard Spencer Dinwiddie, forward Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round pick, and 2027 and 2029 second-round picks to Brooklyn in exchange for Irving, who is entering the final year of his contract. Forward Markieff Morris is also heading to Dallas in the deal.

• Two days after Kyrie Irving requested a trade from the Nets, he has been traded to the Mavericks to join forces with Luka Dončić, sources tell @ShamsCharania.
  
  More on a developing story, days ahead of the NBA trade deadline:https://t.co/LRHPj9Ajm2 pic.twitter.com/hI5tq98weT

  — The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 5, 2023

• From beginning to end, Irving’s tenure in Brooklyn was highlighted in controversy. The 30-year-old became available to Brooklyn as a free agent after he doubled back on an initial statement to Celtics fans he planned to re-sign in Boston once his previous contract was up. Irving played just 20 games in his first season in Brooklyn, missing significant time with a shoulder injury.

  The 2020-2021 season was Irving’s best with the Nets, as he played 54 games averaging 26.9 points per game and earned an All-Star nod. However, he was limited to just 29 games the following season due to eligibility issues regarding his vaccination status. Then this season, after initially requesting a trade in the offseason before accepting his $37 million player option and returning to the team, Irving became the center of a controversy regarding the promotion of an antisemitic movie and antisemitic remarks.

• Now, Irving leaves a Nets team that is currently in fourth place in the Eastern Conference to join a Mavericks team that is in sixth place in the West. There, he will team up with 23-year-old MVP candidate Luka Doncic.

  As for how this move impacts the Celtics – not only does an Eastern Conference contender lose a talented piece, but that team may enter a full rebuild by Thursday’s trade deadline. According to Yahoo’s Chris Haynes, the Phoenix Suns are now expected to pursue the Nets’ other superstar – Kevin Durant – should he become available.

  The Celtics have already faced both the Mavericks and Suns this year, meaning any further meeting between them and Irving or potentially Durant would happen in the NBA Finals. They do face the Nets one more time in the regular season this year, on March 3 at TD Garden.

• Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.