Nets to Bench Kyrie Irving Until Trade Can Be Reached, per Report
Amid Kyrie Irving’s trade request from the Nets, Brooklyn plans on holding the star point guard out of games ahead of the NBA’s trade deadline on Feb. 9, Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes reports.
Irving reportedly told the Nets on Friday that he wanted to be traded after negotiations between the two sides over a new contract broke down. Irving did not play in the Nets’ 125-123 win over the Wizards on Saturday night due to, what Brooklyn listed as, right calf soreness. However, Nets coach Jacque Vaughn admitted after the game that Irving’s absence was a mutual decision.
“From our standpoint, it was that we all were in agreeance [sic] of him not being here tonight,” Vaughn said.
With Irving’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, he reportedly told the Nets he plans on leaving in free agency if the team doesn’t find a trade partner. The Lakers, Mavericks, Suns and Clippers are among the teams who reportedly have interest in a potential deal for Irving.
Brooklyn is no stranger to this type of situation, as they dealt with a similar situation with James Harden during last year’s trade deadline. At the time, Harden reportedly requested a trade to the 76ers while dealing with a hamstring injury.
