Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant Gear Up For First Matchup Since Nets Trades

When the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns face off on Sunday, it'll be the first time that Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant face off since their trades from the Brooklyn Nets.

DALLAS — Before Kyrie Irving requested to be traded and landed with the Dallas Mavericks, things were starting to be figured out during his time with the Brooklyn Nets. In the 20 games before Kevin Durant went down with an MCL sprain, they posted an 18-2 record. 

The urgency created by Irving being in the final year of his current contract created the need to resolve his future before he could play out more of his present. He needed the team he was on to be willing to give him the contract he seeks given the important of Bird rights around the league. 

The Nets clearly weren't willing to give Irving the contract he sought, so he chose to request a trade to land with a team where that would be a more viable outcome. Kevin Durant no longer saw a trajectory to achieve the ultimate goal of winning a championship without Irving, so he requested a trade, too. 

Durant, who is currently a member of the Phoenix Suns, is now on one of the top threats to win the NBA championship this season, while Irving works to achieve the same alongside Luka Doncic and his Mavs teammates. Durant and Irving will face each other for the first time since their respective trades on Sunday.  

Irving looks forward to the opportunity to face off against his former co-star in what he sees as "friendly competition." Any chance Irving gets to take the floor with Durant is one that he seems to relish. 

“I think it’ll be an exciting time just for us to compete again, against each other,” Irving said. “It’s my brother for life, but when we’re stepping out there, looking forward to friendly competition.”

During talked down the meaning of his first regular season matchup against Irving since the two superstars were traded, calling it "just another game." He's focused on the continued development of his own team ahead of the playoffs.

“I understand the entertainment aspect and a lot of people on the outside got the game circled on their calendar, but for both teams, just regularly scheduled programming," Durant said. "Getting back to work and seeing how you can get better as a unit.”

The Mavs already have some intriguing angles surrounding thir matchup against the Suns given how last year's playoffs turned out.

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