Day: February 3, 2023

Kyrie Irving has informed the Brooklyn Nets that he would like a trade by the deadline and that he plans to leave as a free agent this offseason if he is not accommodated.

Since he nearly left the Nets during the 2022 offseason, Irving has been most closely tied with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers don’t project to have max cap space to sign Irving outright, but they still hold the expiring contract of Russell Westbrook plus first round picks in 2027 and 2029.

Last month, Irving’s agent went on record to say he was interested in an extension with the Nets and that the ball was in their court on his future with the team.

The Nets recently offered Irving an extension, which was not well received as it contained guarantee stipulations. Significant differences have emerged between Irving and the Nets.

For weeks, the Toronto Raptors have been widely considered to be the team that will control the trade deadline and that appears to still be the case now that were mere days away from February 9th.

“The whole league is in a circle around the Raptors, watching what they’re going to do,” said Brian Windhorst.

The Raptors are in a position to trade multiple players that could help shift the balance of power among title contenders, particularly OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. The Raptors are widely expected to not consider trading Pascal Siakam.

“To me, the whole deadline pivots on the Raptors,” said Windhorst.

Rival teams believe that the Utah Jazz have trade offers that include a first-round pick for Malik Beasley. Utah has been rumored to be shopping Beasley, almost since acquiring him over the summer.

Beasley has averaged 13.6 points in 53 games this season, mostly off the Jazz bench. The seventh-year wing is knocking down 36.2% of his 8.6 three-point attempts per game. Beasley is considered to be one of the best shooters available on the trade market.

Utah acquired Beasley from the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of the Rudy Gobert trade this past summer. The veteran wing is owed $15.5 million for this season, with a $16.5 million team option for next season.