Duke basketball product Kyrie Irving gets his wish

Duke basketball's active NBA points leader is heading to Dallas.

Matt Giles | Feb 5, 2023

Duke basketball product Kyrie Irving gets his wish /

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On Friday, reports surfaced of Kyrie Irving's request for a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. Two days later, the former Duke basketball one-and-done got his wish.

The Nets (32-20) are trading Irving and Markieff Morris to the Dallas Mavericks (28-26) in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, a 2029 first-round draft pick, and a pair of future second-rounders, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Sunday afternoon.

According to Wojnarowski, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd favored the move to land Irving, an eight-time All-Star selection averaging 27.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game in his 12th season in the league.

He should now co-star alongside four-time All-Star and MVP contender Luka Doncic, who also reportedly gave his nod to the trade.

Wojnarowski noted the expectation is for Irving to make his debut for the Mavericks at 10 p.m. ET Wednesday in their road game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Dallas is his fourth stop in the NBA. The former No. 1 overall draft pick began his pro career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where Irving spent six seasons and won a title alongside LeBron James in 2016. He then played two seasons with the Boston Celtics before his four-year stint in Brooklyn.

Kyrie Irving's former Duke basketball teammate, Seth Curry, is now the only Blue Devil on the Nets roster. Coincidentally, Irving is now the first Blue Devil on the Mavericks roster since a trade in November 2020 sent Curry from Dallas to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country for daily Duke basketball content.

Published Feb 5, 2023

MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.