Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving signed with the Nets as a blockbuster free-agent tandem in 2019, and James Harden joined them through commerce in early 2021.
All three gamers — with 31 profession All-Star designations between them — compelled their manner out of Brooklyn prior to now yr, however Durant and Irving don’t imagine such maneuvering and commerce calls for by gamers must be thought of a detriment for the NBA.
“I don’t suppose it’s dangerous for the league,” Durant instructed reporters on the All-Star festivities Saturday in Salt Lake Metropolis. “It’s bringing extra eyes to the league. Extra persons are extra excited. The tweets that I bought and the information hits that we bought from me being traded and Kyrie being traded, simply brings extra consideration to the league.
“And that’s actually what makes you cash, is once you get extra consideration. So I believe it’s nice for the league, to be sincere. Groups have been buying and selling gamers and making acquisitions for a very long time. Now when a participant can form of dictate the place he needs to go and go away in free company or demand a commerce, it’s simply a part of the sport now. So I don’t suppose it’s a nasty factor. It’s bringing an increasing number of pleasure to the sport.”
Durant requested a commerce and was dealt Feb. 9 to Phoenix, with T.J. Warren, for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, 4 first-round picks and an extra first-round choose swap.
Three days earlier, Irving had been shipped, with Markieff Morris, to Dallas for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a first-round choose and two second-rounders. Irving beforehand had left the Cavaliers for Boston following a commerce request after which escaped the Celtics for the Nets as a free agent.
“What’s a nasty scenario, and why doesn’t anybody have the power to ask for trades? That’s my query,” Irving mentioned Saturday in Salt Lake Metropolis. “Simply when did it develop into horrible to make nice enterprise choices for your self and your happiness and your peace of thoughts?
“Not each employer you’re going to get together with, so in case you have an opportunity to go some place else, and also you’re doing it legally, then I don’t suppose there’s an issue with it.”
Irving added that he has “no regrets” over his tumultuous time in Brooklyn, together with lacking time over a refusal to get vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19 and a suspension earlier this season for selling a movie containing anti-Semitic messages.
“I had a plan in place the place I needed to remain in Brooklyn long-term,” mentioned Irving, who can be an unrestricted free agent this summer time. “Being a Web was a dream come true for me. Clearly, I want issues may have labored out for the very best of all of us when it comes to successful the championship, and etching our names within the historical past of the NBA. These are massive aspirations, nevertheless it sounds simpler mentioned than achieved.
“I had an unbelievable 4 years. I’m grateful to all of the folks I met all through the entire complete group, however I’ve no regrets. I went via a whole lot of private battles myself, had a singular journey. And now I get to talk on it in truth and know that I’ve grown as an individual, grown as a participant. Now I can transfer ahead and mirror within the rearview when it’s time, however transfer ahead with Dallas and the teammates I’ve now, so I’m grateful.”
Durant has been sidelined since early January with a knee harm, however hopes to affix Devin Booker, Chris Paul and the Suns on the court docket shortly after the All-Star break.
The Mavericks received their first two video games after buying Irving, with All-Star guard Luka Doncic sidelined with a heel harm, however they’re 0-3 with Irving and Doncic taking part in collectively.
“It’s a contemporary commerce, so it’s gonna be a figuring-out course of,” Irving mentioned. “I wouldn’t name it hassle, we’ve got handled some ups and downs all through dwell video games and that’s our solely manner we are able to actually develop. I want we may have coaching camp collectively, the place you guys don’t see a few of our errors. However we’re dwelling it out in entrance of you guys. … I’ve to be selfless sufficient to alter my strategy from recreation to recreation.”