Kyrie Irving Happy Nets Traded Kevin Durant to Suns

Former teammate Kyrie Irving spoke after the Mavericks' win last night and said he was happy to see Kevin Durant traded out of Brooklyn.

Kevin Durant is now the newest member of the Phoenix Suns after the Brooklyn Nets sent him and TJ Warren over to the Valley in exchange for Cam Johnson, Mikal Bridges and four future first-round picks. 

The trade soon sent seismic shockwaves throughout the league despite the deal being reported in the early hours of the morning on the east coast. The news even made its way to Dallas Mavericks point guard and former Nets teammate Kyrie Irving, who fielded a question about Durant's move to Phoenix:

"Well it's not the first time we'll be in competition as brothers. I'm just praying for his happiness and praying for his well-being," Irving said. "We had a lot of conversations throughout the year of what out future was gonna look like. There was still a level of uncertainty. But we just cared about seeing each other be in places that we can thrive - and whether that be together, whether that be apart, there's never been one moment where I felt like he's been angry at me for the decisions I've made, or I've been angry at him. We just tried to understand each other a lot better and grow as human beings, grow as brothers. 

"This business changes so quickly: He's getting a little bit older, I'm getting a little older. I just love the competition now that we can be in the same conference and I welcome all that. I get to see him a little more, probably playing against Phoenix a lot more and I'm just glad he got out of there."

Kyrie Irving on @KDtrey5 Trade to Phx:

"It's not the first time that we been in competition as brothers. I'm just praying for his happiness & his wellbeing.... I'm just happy he got out of there," Says @KyrieIrving.#MFFL #Netsworld #WeAreTheValley pic.twitter.com/3hi5zvhlQ0

— Landon Buford (@LandonBuford) February 9, 2023

Irving and Durant are set to face each other just once during the final stretch of the regular season when Phoenix travels to Dallas on Mar. 5.