Kyrie Irving shares reaction to KD trade request: 'It's very awkward'

Alex Kennedy
Sept 26 2022

After an eventful offseason, the Brooklyn Nets reported for media day on Monday. Kyrie Irving addressed reporters for the first time in months and was asked how he reacted to Kevin Durant's trade request (which came immediately after he opted in with the Nets).

"It was just a lot," Irving admitted. "Like, hearing Kev wanted a trade request, I opt in, it's awkward. It's very awkward. I'm sitting at home like, 'I don't know what to think of it.'

"But because there's a trust that we have with each other, I just really want to see him do well and be happy. So if that wasn't within our organization, I was going to have to accept that and move on."

Irving added that some "honest conversations" needed to take place in order to resolve the Nets' behind-the-scenes issues and they did.

Brooklyn is projected to be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference entering this season. Last year, the Nets were 44-38, which was the seventh-best record in the Eastern Conference.

Brooklyn had the NBA's 11th-best offense (scoring 111.0 points per 100 possessions) and 15th-best defense (allowing 109.6 points per 100 possessions). After a season full of ups and downs, they were swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round.

Now, with Ben Simmons in the mix and Irving eligible to play the entire regular season, the Nets could compete for the East's top seed.