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Brooklyn Nets All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving has been traded to Dallas in the first major move ahead of the Feb. 9 NBA trade deadline.
In other news, the Phoenix Suns are ready to make an offer for Nets superstar forward Kevin Durant.
On that note, here’s the latest news from around the NBA as of Feb. 6, 2023.
Nets trade Kyrie Irving to Dallas
The Brooklyn Nets have traded Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris to the Dallas Mavericks, according to multiple reports. In exchange, the Nets will receive Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round pick and 2027 and 2029 second-round picks.
This comes just two days after Irving’s surprise trade request that sent shockwaves around the NBA. The Nets reportedly chose Dallas’ offer over those from the Phoenix Suns, LA Clippers and LA Lakers.
Irving played in 143 games over four seasons with Brooklyn. His tenure with the franchise was filled with turmoil and controversy. This, combined with Irving’s extensive injury history, led the team to fall well short of their goal of winning a championship.
The Nets won just one playoff series during "Kai's" time with the team.
Irving has had one of the best seasons of his career en route to his recent All-Star starter selection this time around. He has averaged 27.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.0 steal and 3.3 3-pointers per game through 40 games on an efficient 48.6/37.4/88.3 shooting split.
Thanks to his impressive numbers, the Nets are 32-20 and fourth in the Eastern Conference. However, Irving’s trade request combined with his upcoming free agency forced Brooklyn’s hand in a trade.
He will now join the Dallas Mavericks as superstar guard Luka Doncic’s new co-star. The Mavericks (28-26, sixth in the West) will look to separate themselves from the rest of the pack in the crowded Western Conference.
Also read: NBA Rumors: Joe Tsai held a “presumed objective” to not trade Kyrie Irving to LA Lakers
Suns ready to pursue Kevin Durant
In the aftermath of the Kyrie Irving trade, there has been speculation about whether the Brooklyn Nets may be open to moving Kevin Durant. Most reports suggest that the Nets are still focused on building around Durant. However, that hasn’t stopped teams from preparing their offers.
According to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, the Phoenix Suns are a team that is ready to try and land Durant.
The Suns have struggled this season and currently hold a 29-26 record, good enough for fifth in the Western Conference. This comes following their franchise-best 64-win season last year.
Acquiring a superstar like Durant would likely go a long way in helping them elevate themselves back into contention.
"KD" is averaging 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.5 blocks per game on 55.9% shooting through 39 games this season. However, he has been sidelined due to a right MCL sprain since Jan. 8.
Steph Curry out indefinitely with leg injury
Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry has been ruled out indefinitely after suffering partial tears to his superior tibiofibular ligaments and interosseous membrane. Curry has also sustained a lower leg contusion, the team announced on Sunday.
According to the Athletic’s Shams Charania, he is expected to miss at least multiple weeks.
Curry suffered the injury during the third quarter of Saturday night’s 119-113 win over the Dallas Mavericks. He was defending Mavs guard McKinley Wright IV when the two banged knees. Curry then left the game to go to the locker room and did not return.
The Warriors (27-26, eighth in the West) are 7-8 without Curry this season. Through 38 games, he is averaging 29.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.0 steals and 4.9 3-pointers per game while shooting 49.5% and 42.7% from deep.
Raptors to wait until final hours before NBA trade deadline to make moves
With Kyrie Irving off the market, it appears that the biggest domino may have already fallen ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline. Outside of the seemingly slim possibility of a Kevin Durant trade, the Toronto Raptors now appear to have the most in-demand trade assets.
These include stars Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet as well as role players OG Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr., who have all been made available. However, according to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, the Raptors will likely wait until the final hours ahead of the deadline before making moves.
There is also still a possibility that Toronto could be a buyer instead of a seller.
"Could Irving's demand lead Durant to be next? That is certainly a question for any team looking to go big-game hunting ahead of the deadline," Fischer reported.
"For over a month, sources told Yahoo Sports, the Toronto Raptors have told rival teams they will wait until the final hours before deciding whether to become buyers or sellers in this trade market.
"Why would Masai Ujiri's front office part with O.G. Anunoby or Fred VanVleet if the MVP candidate, with three-plus seasons left on his contract, were to become available?"
The Raptors hold a 25-30 slate and are 12th in the Eastern Conference. They continue to be involved in various trade talks, most recently with the Brooklyn Nets. However, it appears that fans will probably have to wait a few days to see if a potential deal goes down.
Kevin Durant frustrated with Ben Simmons
With Kevin Durant’s long-term future in Brooklyn up in the air, a recent report has suggested that he is growing frustrated with teammate Ben Simmons. According to Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News, Durant has been less than enthralled with Simmons’ production this season.
"Ben Simmons has missed the last four games with left knee soreness, but sources familiar with Durant’s thinking tell the Daily News the star forward has been less than enthralled with Simmons, who is averaging just 7.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and six assists per game on a max contract in Brooklyn," Winfield reported.
Simmons was acquired before last year’s trade deadline to provide the Nets with an All-NBA caliber defender and playmaker. However, he has looked like a shell of himself in Brooklyn.
Simmons has averaged just 7.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game on 56.6% shooting through 37 games. He is doing so while making $35.4 million this season and is also owed $113.7 million until the end of 2025.
All of this has limited the Nets’ future financial flexibility as well as their chances of contending this season. If Winfield's report is true, most would agree that Durant’s frustrations are justified.
