On Monday February 6, 2023, the Dallas Mavericks traded for Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris. In exchange for Irving and Morris, the Nets will receive Dorian Finney Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, an unprotected first-round pick in 2029 and second-round picks in 2027 and 2029 from the Mavericks.
Over the weekend, the Los Angeles Lakers and Nets considered potential trades for Kyrie Irving. However, the Mavericks eventually presented a package more promising for the Nets to support Kevin Durant, which included three draft picks.
Nico Harrison, the Mavericks general manager, and Jason Kidd, the Dallas coach, both have long histories with Kyrie Irving, having been connected through Nike. Luka Doncic, the All-NBA superstar, was consulted and gave his go-ahead for the Irving-to-Dallas deal. The Mavs will let the rest of the season run its course before settling on a new agreement with the guard.
Irving arrived in Dallas for his physical on Monday afternoon. He will make his debut with the Mavericks against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday February 8, 2023. Dinwiddie will be returning to Brooklyn, where he spent five seasons prior to sustaining an ACL injury early in the 2020-21 season.
After an injury-filled, tumultuous and often suspension-ridden four seasons in Brooklyn, Irving, 30, chose not to opt out of the final season of his contract in the summer, but requested a trade earlier this week after being unable to negotiate an extension. Notably, he missed numerous games due to his refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19, as well as a suspension for promoting a movie with antisemitic themes.
“Thank you NetsWorld fans and supporters for the Love on and off the court,” Irving said on social media early Monday morning. “I will forever be grateful I got to live out my dream I had as a Kid with y’all. It will always be Love from me and my family.”
Seeking a long-term deal, Irving has until June 30 to sign either a four-year, $198.5 million maximum extension or a two-year, $83 million extension with the Mavericks. Despite playing fewer than 150 games in the last four seasons, Irving has still shown himself to be a max-level player; this season, he has averaged 27.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists with excellent efficiency.