With Kyrie Irving gone, Nets GM Sean Marks glad to welcome back Spencer Dinwiddie, add Dorian Finney-Smith
Nets GM= Sean Marks speaks to the media before a game against the Knicks at Barclays Center on Nov. 9. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Kyrie Irving’s bizarre and tumultuous tenure as a Net met its fitting end Monday evening as the team officially announced that the controversy-plagued guard had been traded to the Mavericks — a divorce that could have far-reaching ramifications for a franchise that appeared to have a credible shot at a championship this season.
Reports surfaced Monday that the Nets were hoping to involve a third partner in the deal, but by 6 p.m., that prospect evaporated, and they announced that they had sent Irving and forward Markieff Morris to Dallas for former Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie, forward Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round draft pick and second-round picks in 2027 and 2029.
“We’re excited to add Spencer and Dorian to our roster while also securing draft compensation that will increase our flexibility,” general manager Sean Marks said in a statement. “Spencer is a dynamic, multitalented guard who we are very familiar with from his previous stint in Brooklyn. Dorian is an experienced wing who brings perimeter shooting and defensive versatility to our group. Together, the two players will fit seamlessly with our roster and provide the team with proven veteran talent.”
Irving, set to be a free agent at the end of this season, requested a trade Friday after talks about a long-term contract reportedly went sour. The Nets were concerned about his viability after the off-court drama that routinely kept him out of games the past two seasons (he missed most of last season after refusing to get vaccinated and was suspended earlier this season when he posted a link to an anti-Semitic video and initially refused to apologize).
“My interactions with Ky have always been positive. I enjoyed coaching him,” coach Jacque Vaughn said. “I want him to succeed. I’ll keep it that simple. We’ve had some ups and downs . . . I’m always going to look at the good in people and want the good people and want him to succeed. He’s no longer with us but I appreciate his time here.’’
But though Irving, 30, spent his four-year tenure with the Nets all but courting controversy, the timing still was somewhat surprising. The Nets were thriving before Kevin Durant went down with an MCL injury in early January, going 12-1 in December. And though they have scuffled a bit in Durant’s absence, Irving had been nothing short of brilliant in that time, averaging 30.3 points in 10 games since the injury. Team chemistry also appeared to be among the best it had been since before the advent of the original Big 3 era of Irving, Durant and James Harden.
“It’s tough,” Nic Claxton said. “I mean, at the end of the day, it’s a business. You hate to see him go, but we just have to rock with who we are now. I’m excited to get the new guys here and get them rolling.”
Irving’s trade immediately raises questions about what Durant will choose to do. Durant, who was coaxed to the Nets by Irving, asked for a trade this past offseason before rescinding the request and is signed through the 2025-26 season. It’s certainly possible that he too will ask out before the Thursday deadline, and Vaughn said he has not spoken to his star about whether he will choose to stay. His departure would be nothing short of disastrous for the Nets, who are 32-21 and in fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
Durant sat on the Nets’ bench but did not stop for questions as he made a hasty departure after Monday night’s 124-116 loss to the Clippers. Asked if Durant gave him any sort of indication that he intends to stay, Vaughn said they had not had that conversation.
“I’m going to coach the group that’s in front of me and to coach the group that’s in the locker room,” he said. “That won’t change. I’m not going to speculate and get in Kevin’s mind at all — not going to even try to do that. I’m going to coach this group. I look forward to coaching him and look forward to winning.”
He added: “Until there’s something for me to be concerned about, then I’ll carry on business as usual.”
In about 3 1/2 seasons with the Nets, Irving played only 143 games, averaging 27.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 35.8 minutes per game. Dinwiddie, who previously spent five seasons with the Nets, is averaging 17.7 points, 5.3 assists and 3.1 rebounds and is shooting a career-high 40.5% from three-point range this season. The 6-7 Finney-Smith has career averages of 8.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists.
Clippers coach Ty Lue, who coached Irving when he won a championship with the Cavaliers in 2016, heaped praise on his former player while also tacitly acknowledging how strange the situation is. Lue said the key to establishing a relationship with Irving was simply communication.
“I think the whole league is crazy,” Lue said. “The whole league — you never know what’s going to happen. But I know Kyrie, he’s a baller . . . Dallas has to be very ecstatic getting him. Then putting a guy like Kyrie in our conference, so I don’t like that. But, you know, whatever is best for Ky, I’m happy for him.''
He added: “I just want what’s best for him, whatever’s good for him. All the other stuff, I can’t control that. But just from a personal standpoint, I just want him to be in a place where he’s happy.”
If the previous few years were any indication, that wasn’t going to happen in Brooklyn.
Laura Albanese is a reporter, feature writer and columnist covering local professional sports teams; she began at Newsday in 2007 as an intern.
