Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving recently revealed he requested his release from the Brooklyn Nets in 2021 following his first major suspension with the team. The superstar’s tenure in Brooklyn was largely defined by off-court controversies, beginning with his suspension for the 2021-22 season opener due to his refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Speaking on Tuesday, Irving detailed his frustration with the situation. “Even the people that I was in business with were pro-vaccine,” he stated. “I’m like, okay, look, that’s fine, but just leave me the [expletive] out of this and let me go somewhere. I even told the Nets to release me.”
Irving acknowledged the financial and strategic complexities of his request. “Obviously, the money situation—different situation, I’m [expletive] Kyrie… they weren’t just going to let me rock out.”
The following season, Irving was suspended again after posting a link to an antisemitic film and initially refusing to denounce its content. The combined controversies led the Nets to withhold a contract extension, which prompted Irving’s formal trade request. He was ultimately dealt to the Dallas Mavericks at the 2023 trade deadline.
Despite the persistent off-court turmoil, Irving’s on-court performance for the Nets was elite. In his time with the team, he averaged 27.1 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game, shooting 48.9% from the field and 39.6% from three-point range. During the 2020-21 season, he became only the ninth player in NBA history to join the prestigious 50-40-90 club. That year, Brooklyn was considered a title favorite before injuries to Irving and James Harden derailed their postseason ambitions.
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