Nets Recently Offered Kyrie Irving Extension With Guarantee Conditions

February 3, 2023

The Nets recently offered star point guard Kyrie Irving a contract extension, but it came with some guarantee stipulations, which led to Irving’s trade request, per Shams Charania and The Athletic staff.

The Nets’ conditions on the deal were not specified, though given that Irving was suspended earlier this season, speculation persists that those conditions had to do with off-court behavior, including social media. Irving’s suspension was the result of him retweeting a link to anti-Semitic material available on Amazon.

The NBA trade deadline is Thursday, and per Charania, Irving has requested to be traded before then — or he will sign elsewhere upon entering free agency after the season.

The stipulations offered by the Nets in extension talks, clearly, were not well-received by Irving and agent Shetellia Irving.

“Sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations who have been granted anonymity so that they could speak freely say that the extension offer was not well received and that there have been principle differences that have emerged between the Nets and Irving,” The Athletic reported.

Irving’s trade request follows one from star forward Kevin Durant during the offseason. Durant opted to stay with the Nets and there is a widespread sense that cooler heads will prevail and Irving will do the same.

Irving, 30, is averaging 27.1 points, 5.3 assists and 5.1 rebounds, shooting 49 percent from the field and 37 percent on 3-pointers in 40 games. He was suspended briefly earlier this season for tweeting out a link to ant-Semitic material.

The No. 1 overall pick in 2011, Irving also requested a trade from the Cavaliers following the 2017 season.

Hoops Wire will have more on this story as it develops.

Breaking: Brooklyn Nets All-Star Kyrie Irving has requested a trade, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The franchise has been informed that Irving prefers to move on ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline – or will leave in free agency in July.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 3, 2023