The Kyrie Irving trade winners and losers

The Kyrie Irving trade winners and losers

Days after Kyrie Irving demanded a trade from the Brooklyn Nets his wish was granted. The Nets shipped the disgruntled superstar to the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs send Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, and a boatload of picks to Brooklyn to get the deal done. If you wanted a distraction from the Super Bowl, you got it. As the dust settles on the trade it is time to break down the winners and the losers of this blockbuster deal.

Winners

Brooklyn Nets

The Nets unloaded an unhappy player who caused controversy and missed multiple games. Kevin Durant may not be happy right now, but ultimately this deal had to be done. This gives the Nets the flexibility to build around Durant or trade him and start with a bright future full of draft picks.

LA Lakers

The Lakers were reportedly the front runners for Irving. Although they would have liked to move Russell Westbrook, this trade would have been a bad move for the Lakers. Anthony Davis is old and mortgaging the future for an explosive player in Irving is a big mistake. This year the Lakers will be happy to make this season about LeBron and the scoring record and regroup next season.

Losers

Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic is one of the best players in the league. On paper, the upside of adding a player as talented as Irving is incredible. The Maverick’s odds did change when they acquired Irving, however, the Mavericks need more than one piece to win a championship. This is an overreaction by Mark Cuban after letting Jalen Brunson go to the Knicks. The Mavericks are a playoff team that often gets eliminated early. With the addition of Irving, they may go deeper into the playoffs, but ultimately they will be ushered out of the playoffs. Soon Irving will become a problem and destroy yet another team in the NBA.

People who bet on the Nets

The Nets were once considered a favorite to win the championship. Now with James Harden and Irving out, they are an afterthought in a talented Eastern conference. Now the Nets are playing out the season and Durant is considering where he will play again next season. The Nets will win a few games this year, but their season is over.

Kyrie Irving once again destroys another franchise.