Stephen A. Smith questions Kyrie Irving’s commitment & loyalty for any NBA team: “Idiotic…He cannot be trusted”
Eight-time All-Star Kyrie Irving made the rounds in the NBA world on Friday as reports surfaced of his trade demand to the Brooklyn Nets. ESPN's Stephen A. Smith questioned the point guard's dedication to any team he joins.
Smith talked about why teams would be hesitant to trade for Irving, as he has constantly been a distraction.
"Idiotic," Smith said. "Here's a guy in Kyrie Irving, that for the last three years, he's gotten most of his money but missed more than 50% of his games. Enters the last year after this offseason. Obviously the situation that he got himself into early in this year was unfortunate, but he resurrected himself from that (an eight-game suspension in November), laying outstanding basketball and reminding everybody what an absolute, flat-out superstar basketball player he is.
"No one questioned that, all we ever questioned was, 'Can the man go the rest of the season without being any kind of distraction?' ... if he's gonna have a chance to get his money. All (the trade demand) did was serve to remind ever body out there, he's spectacular, we'd love to have him in our uniform, so long as we don't have to make a long-term investment in him, because he cannot be trusted. He just reminded the basketball world of that."
Irving is not new to trade talks while in a Nets uniform. During the offseason, he was linked to the LA Lakers in exchange for Russell Westbrook. Many thought the saga would be over after Kevin Durant rescinded his trade request, but Irving came up with a surprise.
The 2016 NBA champion is in the final year of his deal, and the Nets didn't choose to extend him during the offseason. His uncertain future with Brooklyn has played a huge role in his demad for a trade before the All-Star break. It's now up to the organization to get him a decent return package if they choose to move him by Thursday's trade deadline.
Kevin Durant was ‘surprised’ by Kyrie Irving’s trade demand, per @wojespn https://t.co/uyD6DxZiuj
Also read: NBA fans can't hold it as Kyrie Irving requests trade from Brooklyn Nets: "Bigger team Kryptonite, Kyrie or Harden?"
Kevin Durant was reportedly surprised by the trade request of Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving knows a thing or two about surprises as even his Nets teammates were caught off guard by his trade demands, reportedly. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that All-Star forward Kevin Durant was shocked when he found out about the announcement regarding Irving's future in Brooklyn.
"I'm told that the trade request surprised everyone in Brooklyn today, including Kevin Durant," Wojnarowski said.
"I'm told that the trade request surprised everyone in Brooklyn today, including Kevin Durant."
Woj on Kyrie Irving's trade request
#NetsWorld https://t.co/DCYLjT5YYZ
The Nets, who are still without KD as he recovers from an MCL strain, will play against the Washington Wizards on Saturday.
Also read: Kyrie Irving Trade: Dallas Mavericks and 2 other teams will target Kyrie Irving before trade deadline