Luka Doncic couldn’t believe that ESPN thought the Kyrie Irving trade was worth a ‘D’ grade.
The Dallas Mavericks were heavily trolled for over six months for staking Luka Doncic’s future with the team on a partnership with Kyrie Irving. With the team now in the Western Conference Finals, Doncic and Irving reflected on the trade, with both mocking ESPN for giving the trade a D in February 2023.
Luka Doncic: “I don’t think we care. We enjoy playing with each other and this team. We don’t really care what other people have to say.”
Irving joined Dallas in a package that sent Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith to the Brooklyn Nets along with one first-round pick and two second-round picks. That is a bargain in the modern trade market for a star player, but Irving’s possible free agency and the baggage he carries with him weighed his perception down in the eyes of the media.
ESPN in particular was going out of their way to criticize Irving at that point, with analysts like Stephen A. Smith asking the guard to retire because of an apparent lack of focus in basketball. With the continued fall of the Nets, while the Mavs succeed with Kyrie, it’s becoming clear that Irving didn’t feel like he could trust the people in charge in Brooklyn.
His excellence on the court has been facilitated by head coach Jason Kidd, one of Irving’s idols growing up. Mavericks’ GM Nico Harrison worked with Irving closely when he signed Kyrie to Nike many years ago. With a supportive roster that looks to Irving for mentorship, it’s clear his off-court happiness is translating into on-court success.
Irving might not have the numbers we expect him to, but he was crucial in the Mavericks’ Game 6 win over the OKC Thunder which eliminated the No. 1 seed from the Playoffs. He put up 22 points with a second-half classic to help the Mavs overcome a 17-point deficit to seal the win.
“You’re going to make me cry, man. I just want to thank each one of you guys, man. All your sacrifices, all the things that you guys are doing, and no one’s watching. It’s truly appreciated. And all the words of affirmation that we’re giving each other go a long way, man. So keep the positivity going. Job’s not finished, but we can definitely celebrate this one. This is hard. It was tough.”
The 32-year-old is among the oldest stars left in the Playoffs. He has embraced a mentorship role in Dallas, empowering young stars like Jaden Hardy, Josh Green, Dereck Lively II, and others, along with his 24-year-old co-star Luka.
Outside Tim Hardaway Jr. and Kyrie, no other Mavs; rotational player is in his 30s yet, showing how much this team can still grow. Irving is under contract for another year, so they’ll build on this chemistry for another season.
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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a staff writer at Fadeaway World, based in Mumbai, India. With keen expertise in NBA journalism, Ishaan has enriched his articles with insights gained from his previous role in corporate communications for NBA India and other notable sports brands. At Fadeaway World since March 2022, he has quickly become recognized for his unique take on the NBA, including exclusive interviews and on-the-ground reporting. Beyond sports, Ishaan is an avid gamer and passionate content creator, continually connecting with audiences across multiple platforms.
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