The downfall of the Brooklyn Nets’ big 3 is a topic that continues to be discussed among fans of the team. After just a few years of title contention, Kyrie Irving requested a trade from Brooklyn during the 2022-23 season, despite still having the ability to compete for a championship alongside Kevin Durant. Dallas Mavericks forward Markieff Morris shed some light on the situation, explaining that Irving’s contract extension negotiations with the Nets did not pan out, leading to his desire to be traded.
Irving, who was in the final year of his contract, tried to secure an extension with the Nets early in the season, but was unsuccessful. Despite his contributions to the team, averaging around 27 points per game and helping the Nets win 18 out of 20 games, business interests interfered with the contract negotiations. Reports indicated that Irving and the Nets both wanted to continue their partnership, as Irving had always dreamed of playing for the Nets. However, due to controversial moments and availability issues, they could not come to an agreement.
After hitting an impasse with the Nets, Irving requested a trade and threatened to sit out the remainder of the season if he was not traded by the deadline. He was ultimately traded to the Mavericks, where he joined their title-contending team and faced off against the Boston Celtics. The saga of Irving’s departure from Brooklyn marked a turning point for the Nets and their fanbase as they looked to rebuild and move forward without their star player.