Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving has told the franchise that he wants to be traded ahead of Thursday’s deadline, a source told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Irving is set to be a free agent this summer. There were some recent talks with the Nets on an extension, but no deal was reached and a trade request was delivered to the organization on Friday, sources told ESPN.
Irving has not shared a list of preferred teams he would like to be traded to, but he has maintained an interest in the Lakers, sources said. L.A. is expected to be among the teams that’ll explore a possible trade with the Nets.
The Mavericks have also had previous interest in Irving and are expected to explore the idea of a trade, sources told ESPN. Like most teams, the Mavericks have been reluctant to offer significant assets for Irving.
Irving had previously requested to be sign-and-traded ahead of the season before deciding to opt into the final year of his four-year max contract.
The Nets entered Friday 31-20 and firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff race but have lost seven of their past 11 games since Kevin Durant went down with an MCL sprain.
Irving was suspended eight games earlier in the season after making a social media post promoting a book and movie that features antisemitic themes.
Irving, 30, is averaging 27.1 points, 5.3 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game this season.