Why Kyrie Irving’s trade demand from Nets could benefit Rockets

Once LSU forward Tari Eason was picked by the Rockets at No. 17 in the 2022 NBA draft, he became the first draft asset from the blockbuster James Harden trade (the January 2021 version involving Brooklyn and Houston) to be realized. But he’s far from the last.

Because of that Harden deal, the Rockets currently have a first-round pick headed their way from the Nets or a right to swap first-round picks with Brooklyn in each of the next five drafts, through 2027. All are unprotected, meaning that even if one of those Brooklyn picks ended up at No. 1 in the first round, it could still go to Houston.

Thus, what’s bad for Brooklyn’s long-term outlook is good for Houston, and vice versa. That’s why the latest reports of Kyrie Irving demanding a trade by the Feb. 9 NBA trade deadline are quite intriguing from the perspective of the Rockets and general manager Rafael Stone.

While the Nets could certainly receive something for Irving in a trade, it would be very difficult to get fair value, since superstars are such a precious commodity. In addition, with Irving eligible to become a free agent in just a few months, that could further limit his market.

There’s also the matter of what Irving’s potential exit from the Nets might mean for his Brooklyn co-star, Kevin Durant. Should Durant again seek to leave, as he tried to last summer, that could be an even bigger domino for Stone and the Rockets, as it pertains to future picks.

Here’s a look at how fans and media members following the Rockets responded to Friday’s Irving bombshell in real-time.

Breaking: Brooklyn Nets All-Star Kyrie Irving has requested a trade, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The franchise has been informed that Irving prefers to move on ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline – or will leave in free agency in July.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 3, 2023

Kyrie Irving is extension eligible up until June 30 with Brooklyn.

If he is traded and amends the 15% trade bonus, he is not allowed to extend with his new team.

The maximum on an extension is 2 years/$78.6M with a new team but only if Brooklyn pays him the trade kicker.

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 3, 2023

Rockets should be willing however be willing to help facilitate a three team trade because some team will be desperate to trade for Kyrie

— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) February 3, 2023

The best way for Russell Westbrook to pay back the Rockets for the Chris Paul trade would be to don a Nets jersey.

— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) February 3, 2023

So good. So toxic. Funny thing is if Kyrie could just keep his name out of tweets that begin with “Breaking …” he would be much more likely to get everything he wants as a free agent or extension.

— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) February 3, 2023

Another reminder that Houston owns Brooklyn’s:

2023 first round pick (swap rights)
2024 first round pick
2025 first round pick (swap rights)
2026 first round pick
2027 first round pick (swap rights)

All of them unprotected.

— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) February 3, 2023

If Irving gets his wish, Durant’s right behind him.

— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) February 3, 2023

So… now that Kyrie Irving wants out from the Nets does Kevin Durant demand another trade? Or are KD and Kyrie just breaking up?

— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 3, 2023

ESPN Sources: Brooklyn’s Kyrie Irving has not shared a list of preferred teams, but he has maintained an interest in the Lakers. LA is expected to be among the teams that’ll explore a possible trade with the Nets.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 3, 2023

• Jan. 7, 2021: Kyrie’s hiatus
• June 30, 2022: Kevin Durant requests trade
• Nov. 3, 2022: Kyrie gets suspended
• Feb. 3, 2023: Kyrie requests a trade for the second time

The full CHAOTIC timeline of the KD-Kyrie Nets: https://t.co/SOofmCxlS6 pic.twitter.com/gRh4rC1y8M

— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) February 3, 2023

Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden have now all requested trades from the Brooklyn Nets in the past 13 months.

— Alec Sturm (@Alec_Sturm) February 3, 2023

Plot Twist: Kyrie Irving is just a huge Rockets fan and wants to help them out long-term

— Matthew Cardenas (@Matt__Card) February 3, 2023

There were some talks on a new deal for Irving, but no deal was reached and a trade request was delivered to the organization today, sources tell ESPN. Irving can leave the franchise this summer as a free agent. https://t.co/vnNWbUW56S

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 3, 2023

KYRIE IRVING HAS DEMANDED A TRADE FROM BROOKLYN AND HOUSTON OWNS ALL OF BROOKLYN’S DRAFT CAPITAL

— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) February 3, 2023

Nets Twitter been dying for a trade. Instead one of their superstars asks for a trade.

A true Nets tale if I’ve ever seen one

— Anthony Puccio (@APOOCH) February 3, 2023

Almost have to trade him because he absolutely will walk, they have zero leverage in trade discussions and have to find a suitor quickly lol what a terrible position to be in https://t.co/Zlo4e1M3IG

— Abel (@AbelGe87) February 3, 2023

Before you ask – yes the Rockets will / should be as involved as they can be in the BKN situation, whether directly or as a facilitator

More you can influence the future of those picks, the better.

— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) February 3, 2023

This deadline is going to be nutso – Kyrie, maybe KD + solid needle movers like OG, Siakam, Collins + older guys like CP3, Russ all potentially on the move

— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) February 3, 2023

So Nets go 18-2 prior to Durant’s injury, and show they can be good enough to win a title— & this guy pulls this?

Has there ever been a worse teammate in NBA History?

Total clown show.

— Justin Termine (@TermineRadio) February 3, 2023

The Nets’ strategy to this point, as I reported earlier this week, has been to focus on playing out the season without extending Kyrie Irving’s contract … believing Irving likely needs a sign-and-trade in the summer to get to another destination he likes. Kyrie’s counter today: https://t.co/ZusHGodbRE

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 3, 2023

If Kyrie wants out, one can assume KD will want out. And if KD wants out…

— C.J. Holmes ???? (@CjHolmes22) February 3, 2023

Kyrie really wakes up everyday and chooses violence

— Raheem Palmer (@iamrahstradamus) February 3, 2023

HOW COULD WE EVER HAVE PREDICTED

— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) February 3, 2023

THOSE BROOKLYN PICKS JUST GOT BETTER.

— Taylor Pate (@taylorlpate) February 3, 2023

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