The Brooklyn Nets traded Kyrie Irving to the Mavericks due to his antisimetic tweets.

Question

NPR has claimed that the Nets traded Kyrie Irving to the Mavericks due to multiple controversies, including his antisemitic social media post.

Answer 1

It's impossible to know for sure what went on behind the scenes within the Nets Organization. Over the past few seasons, the Nets and Irving have had numerous issues with one another:

He missed many home games last season due to him not being vaccinated.

https://www.si.com/nba/2022/05/06/kyrie-irving-calls-himself-a-martyr-vaccine-stance-brooklyn-nets

As you mentioned, he was also suspended (by the NBA) for his post about an antisemitic movie, and refusing to say he has no antisemitic beliefs. 

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/nbas-kyrie-irving-suspended-for-antisemitic-social-media-post-apologizes

The amount of games he missed in these two instances hurt contract extension negotiations. The Nets did not want to make a long term commitment to Kyrie. They even put a 'minimum games played' stipulation in a contract offer that Kyrie eventually rejected. 

https://www.si.com/nba/nets/news/report-kyrie-irving-unhappy-with-nets-placing-stipulations-on-contract-extension

However, through all of this, the Nets held off a long time to trade Irving. Because of contract negotiation difficulties, Irving eventually requested to be traded from the organization. Because Irving was the one who wanted out, it is misleading to say the Nets traded Irving for his controversies. Though, to some extent, I'm sure this played a role in the decision.

https://www.nba.com/news/kyrie-irving-requests-trade

Comments

I read the NPR article that is the source of the claim and didn't see a definitive link between his antisemitic tweets and him being traded. Like you've explained, there are several incidents that may have contributed to the trade decision, but no actual proof. I agree that the claim is misleading/exaggerated without any evidence. Good work!

Answer 2

The Brooklyn Nets traded Kyrie Irving because he wanted to leave the team, not just because of his Twitter controversy. 

In "How the Nets Fell Apart From the Top", it is explained that "“I want to be in a place where I’m celebrated and not just tolerated or just kind of dealt with in a way that doesn’t make me feel respected,” Irving said Tuesday, a day after the Nets traded him to the Dallas Mavericks."

Irving wasn't feeling like he was being appreciated on the Nets, and this lead to him asking to be traded. His controversy could have been a factor, but it is an exaggeration to say that his Tweets were the sole reason.

Comments

Great work finding a quote directly from Irving that states why he was traded.