Kyrie Irving sat in front of reporters as part of the Dallas Mavericks for the first time, and he came up with some opportunities for the Brooklyn Nets, who honored his trade request on Sunday.
Irving requested a trade after they reportedly failed to agree on a contract extension, saying he would become a free agent if they didn’t trade him to another team by the deadline.
The Nets moved on and found the Mavericks’ offer was the right one for them. The Nets received Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian-Finney Smith and draft picks in the deal.
Reflecting on his time in Brooklyn, a tumultuous marriage over the past four years, Irving said he felt «disrespected» by the Nets.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles during the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Barclays Center on January 30, 2023, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
«Being in this seat today, I just know that I want to be in places that celebrate me and not just tolerate me or treat me in a way that doesn’t make me feel respected,» he said.
«There were times throughout this process when I was in Brooklyn where I felt disrespected and disrespected for my talent – I work very hard at what I do. No one talks about my work ethic though. Everyone talks about what I I’m doing out of the office.» floor. I just want to change that narrative, write my own story, and get ready in the gym. Now that I’m in Dallas, just focus on what I can control, like I said, and I’ll always be around you. Those guys in Brooklyn.»
When asked why he felt this way, Irving declined to go into detail.
KYRIE IRVING EXPLAINS WHY APOLOGY WAS DELETED FOR POSTING LINK TO ANTI-SEMITIC FILM
«I’m not the person to really talk names and go behind someone’s back and try to leak things to the media. That’s never been me,» he explained. «I’ve been a member of the audience of people saying things about me that ultimately fall off my shoulder. Really in a place that I’m grateful to have grown up in the last year and a half, two years, spending time away from the court. basketball Having time to really appreciate life in a new way.
Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on October 29, 2022. (Wendell Cruz/USA Today Sports)
«I just know that I need healthy boundaries, especially in this entertainment business. There’s a lot of disrespect towards people’s families, with their names. I’m just not with it. It’s nothing personal against any of those guys up front.» . office. It’s just what I’m willing to accept, and I took a chance and luckily the Dallas Mavericks took me.»
Irving’s tenure in Brooklyn included his eight-game suspension this season after posting a link to a movie containing anti-Semitic disinformation, for which he initially made no apology.
NETS PLAN TO KEEP KEVIN DURANT DESPITE TRADE TO KYRIE IRVING: REPORT
There was also his refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, which led to him not being able to play home games. Irving played just 29 regular-season games last year after the Nets allowed him to return part-time.
Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets during the second quarter of a game against the New York Knicks at Barclays Center on January 28, 2023 in New York City. (Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
This also wasn’t the first time Irving had requested a trade out of Brooklyn, though owner Joe Tsai made sure it wasn’t entirely on his terms. Irving’s preferred destination was reportedly the Los Angeles Lakers to team up with LeBron James again. However, Tsai reportedly made sure not to negotiate it with Los Angeles.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Irving earned an All-Star bid this season prior to the deal, averaging 27.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 40 games with the Nets. Irving averaged 27.1 points in 143 regular season games with the Nets.