Kyrie Irving found himself the center of the NBA universe again on Friday, with the eight-time All-Star requesting a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. While most teams will be turned off by Irving’s off-court drama and impending free agency, a potential move could have large-scale implications around the league, including for the Golden State Warriors.
The request comes at an odd time given the Nets are fourth in the Eastern Conference standings and seemingly in title contention thanks to Irving and Kevin Durant. It appeared Brooklyn had put their tumultuous offseason in the rearview mirror, only for Irving to blow things up again less than a week before the February 9 trade deadline.
A Kyrie Irving trade may open the door for the Golden State Warriors to pursue a Kevin Durant trade if he were to become available.
Clearly Golden State is going to have no interest in Irving for a host of reasons, however the 30-year-old’s trade request has shone a spotlight on the future of Durant once again, having already asked for a trade himself during the offseason.
If Durant were to become available in the aftermath of an Irving trade, the Warriors would be well placed to bring the two-time Finals MVP back to The Bay. Even if Durant were to become suddenly available before the deadline, Golden State would be handcuffed unless they were willing to give up Draymond Green. However, things will be different for the Warriors in the offseason.
Andrew Wiggins cannot be traded this season due to his extension signed during training camp, and nor practically can Jordan Poole given his rooke extension is currently a ‘poison pill’ contract. That will change during the offseason — one of those two players, plus a combination of the Warriors’ youngsters — James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody — could meet the salary value of basically every superstar in the league including Durant.
So, what does it mean for right now? Irving’s request and possible move makes it much more likely that Durant, one, requests a trade, and two, that Brooklyn are more open to the idea than they were after his initial trade request. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is already reporting that rival teams are inquiring about Durant’s future with the Nets.
Among rival teams, there's far more interest in inquiring on Kevin Durant's reaction to Kyrie Irving's trade request and how that may impact KD's future with the Nets.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 3, 2023
If Golden State think they can be a player in potential Durant sweepstakes during the offseason, then that will undoubtedly alter their decision-making right now. Why move a young prospect for a role player when they could be part of a much larger package for a bonafide superstar in six months time?
It’s not as though Irving’s trade request has a direct impact on the Warriors, but it’ll only add to the likelihood of them doing nothing prior to the deadline. The other watch is where Irving ultimately ends up, and how that team stacks up against Golden State in a potential playoff matchup.