Kyrie Irving's days as a Brooklyn Net appear to be numbered. The star point guard reportedly requested a trade after failing to come to an agreement on a new contract.
Predictably, the news ahead of the NBA trade deadline sparked plenty of reactions and speculation. Irving will undoubtedly dominate the headlines leading up to Feb. 9. But where might he end up?
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"I'm told the Lakers, Suns, and Mavericks have emerged as leading suitors in a potential deal for Irving," Charania reported on Friday.
Charania also shed more light on what led to Irving wanting out of Brooklyn.
"The Nets, sources say, offered an extension to Irving in the last week. But the deal had stipulations on the guarantee of the final year of that multi-year contract. Irving's camp believed that a player of his caliber should not have stipulations in a multi-year contract," Charania said.
"Another factor in the trade request, I'm told, were principle differences Irving had with the organization that just do not align with the Nets. So the sense right now is that whether it's ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline or in the offseason in July, Irving is set to move on as a Brooklyn Net."
The Lakers being in the mix to acquire Irving should come as no surprise. L.A. could include Russell Westbrook in a package to acquire Irving and reunite him with his former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate, LeBron James.
Irving is averaging 27.1 points and 5.3 assists for the Nets, who are currently fourth in the Eastern Conference standings.