One day after demanding the Nets trade him, Kyrie Irving sat out Brooklyn’s game against the Wizards as the race for the superstar guard’s services grew to at least five teams.
The Nets said Irving was out due to right calf soreness. And when that reason was broadcast to Brooklyn fans pre-game on Sunday (AEDT), they booed.
The news comes after the embattled All-Star requested the team trade him by the February 9 deadline, or he would leave in free agency this summer. Irving has been looking for a four-year, $AU286 million extension.
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Speaking with reporters before the game, Brooklyn Nets coach Jacque Vaughn said he “touched bases” with every player on his roster after the Irving news broke – including the star player himself.
“I’m not going to speculate on the stuff that’s out there that’s been reported. My job is to hopefully stay consistent and hopefully I’ve been that way with you guys and with our group,” Vaughn said.
“I didn’t ask those questions (around reasons why he wanted to leave the Nets). There’s a business side to this thing and there’s a human side to this thing. I elected to touch on the human side and check on him as an individual. I’ll leave the business side to Sean (Marks) and that group.”
Vaughn said he was “not going to speculate” on whether Nets players thought Irving was letting the team down. But asked what he thought of that prospect, Vaughn said: “I think you have a responsibility as a basketball player – like I do as a coach. I show up, I do my job every single day. That’s what I signed up for and that’s my expectations for (players) one through 17.”
ESPN reported that, to this point, no teams have expressed a willingness to make such a significant financial investment in the 30-year-old, who has been embroiled in multiple controversies for much of his career.
The Lakes and Mavericks have reportedly expressed interest in trading for Irving before the deadline, though Dallas apparently has some concerns over how Irving’s personality would mesh alongside its own star, Luka Doncic. Lakers great Magic Johnson, meanwhile, said he’d “love” to see Irving in the purple and gold alongside LeBron James.
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While Irving hasn’t told the Nets of a preferred new club, there’s reportedly a strong mutual interest with him and the Lakers.
The Heat and Suns are also among teams reportedly interested in Irving and there remains a bevy of options on how the Nets could proceed with their disgruntled guard.
ESPN on Sunday reported the Clippers were “probing a possible deal too”, as they’re in the market for a point guard.
Vaughn said playing without Irving would be “a great challenge” for the Nets, who are also without Kevin Durant and Ben Simmons due to injury.
“I’m looking forward to it. It’s what we’ve been talking about the entire year is that you don’t know what circumstances are going to be put in front of you – this is a perfect ideal and test for our group … That was the message to the group today,” he said.
“Show up and do the work – that’s what this group has to do.”
As for Simmons’ injury timeline, Vaughn said: “I think we’re inching towards that way. It’s really day to day.
“He’ll get back on the court tomorrow and hopefully he responds to the work tomorrow to get close to playing these next two games after tonight.”
This article originally appeared on The New York Post and was republished with permission.