Mavericks acquire Kyrie Irving in blockbuster trade with Nets

Two days after Kyrie Irving requested a trade from the BrooklynNets following stalled extension talks, the Dallas Mavericks haveacquired the eight-time All-Star in a blockbuster deal.

The Mavericks are sending Spencer Dinwiddie, DorianFinney-Smith, a 2029 first-round pick and multiple second-roundpicks to Brooklyn in exchange for Irving. Dallas beat out offersfrom the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Sunsamong others.

The Nets tried to find a trade partner quickly rather thandragging this out to the Feb. 9 trade deadline.

Irving now teams up with Luka Doncic in Dallas, giving the teama much-needed playmaker who can take some of the offensive burdenoff of Doncic (similar to the role that Jalen Brunson played priorto leaving for the New York Knicks in free agency). Doncic's 38.52usage percentage is one of the highest single-season marks in NBAhistory.

Irving was named an All-Star starter one week ago. The30-year-old is having an incredible season, averaging 27.1 points,5.3 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game on .486/.374/.883 shootingsplits.

It remains to be seen what this means for Kevin Durant's futurein Brooklyn, as he had previously requested a trade from the Netsover the offseason. The fact that the Nets prioritized win-nowpieces in Dinwiddie (who previously played for Brooklyn) andFinney-Smith suggests that the team will try to keep Durant andremain in contention.

The Mavericks are 28-26, which is the sixth-best record in theWestern Conference. Dallas boasts the NBA's eighth-best offense(scoring 113.3 points per 100 possessions) and 23rd-best defense(allowing 112.6 points per 100 possessions).

Meanwhile, the Nets are 32-20, which is the fourth-best recordin the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn has the NBA's fifth-bestoffense (scoring 114.2 points per 100 possessions) and ninth-bestdefense (allowing 110.2 points per 100 possessions). Durant iscurrently sidelined due to a MCL sprain in his right knee. Once hereturns, it will be interesting to see this new-look Nets team atfull strength.