On Sunday, the Brooklyn Nets reportedly agreed to trade Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks just two days after the All-Star requested a trade out of New York.
The Mavericks will send Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round pick and second-round picks in 2027 and 2029 to the Nets for Irving. They also acquired Markieff Morris from Brooklyn as part of the deal.
The trade was first reported by The Athletic.
Dallas saw its championship odds improve (from plus-2500 to plus-1200) with the trade as Irving joins a core that includes Luka Doncic, Tim Hardaway Jr., Christian Wood and others. They are expected to be one of the leading contenders now in the Western Conference.
While the trade sent shockwaves throughout the league, Mavericks fans rejoiced at the chance of adding an eight-time All-Star. Fans were also ecstatic that the team managed to keep promising rookie Jaden Hardy, the 37th pick last year.
Hardy, who has played sporadically this season, has shown that he can contribute when called upon. He is averaging 5.6 points and 1.2 rebounds in 25 appearances and has scored in double figures six times, including a career-high 25 points on Jan. 15.
With the trade, Hardy could have a larger role in the backcourt behind Irving. He will have the opportunity to learn from Irving on the court as the 20-year-old gears up for the Mavericks' push toward the playoffs over the last three months of the season.
Fans took to Twitter to express their happiness that Hardy wasn't moved.
Story originally appeared on Rookie Wire
