The Big Three era of the Brooklyn Nets has fizzled out.
The Brooklyn Nets' Big Three era has bombed and is no more.
All-Star guard Kyrie Irving, who has missed dozens of games due to his refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine last year and after promoting an anti-Semitic documentary this year, will be traded to the Dallas Mavericks according to reports.
Irving was said to have requested to be dealt before the NBA February 9 trade deadline after talks with the Nets did not go to his liking. Brooklyn will receive Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, along with second round draft picks in 2027 and 2029, and a 2029 first round pick. Needless to say, everyone turned on their notifications for the most entertaining time of the year.
Even Texas senator Ted Cruz chimed in.
The Nets preferred the Mavericks' package over the Los Angeles Lakers' offer, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. LeBron James though thinks his former teammate may have been hesitant to relive their Cleveland days.
Fellow Laker Patrick Beverley meanwhile, is bringing the popcorn.
There was one person that was happy with the arrangement though: Spencer Dinwiddie's son Elijah.
The Nets signed Irving in the middle of 2019 to a four-year deal with hopes that he, Kevin Durant, and James Harden could deliver an NBA championship. There was one shining moment where they made 104 points in one game. But they only played eight regular season games together. Harden then moved to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Ben Simmons, and Brooklyn only managed to reach the second round of the playoffs in 2021.
Wojnarowski said Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison has a long history with Irving from their Nike days, while coach Jason Kidd wanted the trade. It may also have to do with Dallas star Luka Doncic being a fan of Kyrie's kicks.
Irving has averaged 27.1 points, 5.3 assists, and 5.1 rebounds over 40 games during the 2022-23 campaign, and would look to be a much-needed additional scoring option for the Mavericks to help Doncic.
NBA Twitter though is pressing X to doubt that it will work well, given Irving's history with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics.
Will KD stay in Brooklyn? Twitter is doubting it too.