Stephen A. Smith Report: Kyrie Irving Prepared To Sit Out Rest Of Season

Kyrie Irving sat out Saturday night's Nets' game with "calf soreness." It begs the question of how that ties in with his trade demand. And as reported by ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, in fact it does, and he says Irving will not play another game for the Nets—whether or not he's traded by Thursday.

REPORT: According to Stephen A. Smith, Kyrie Irving will sit out for the rest of the season if NOT traded by the Brooklyn Nets.

Thoughts? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/rl9SeQssPB

— NBA Buzz (@OfficialNBABuzz) February 5, 2023

On NBA Countdown, Smith asked the question of what would Irving do if not traded by Thursday—and then answered it for us.

"Ok, what would he do? Doesn't he have to play, otherwise he's gonna hurt his stock and his value even more? I'm told NO. That wouldn't happen. At the end of the day, Kyrie is still the kind of personality that says 'I'll take my chances.' Because based on the principle of him being a star, this is how stars get treated: 'You don't let me go into a contract year completing a season and then I gotta wait until I'm a free agent to get paid.'

"Kyrie Irving is prepared to sit out the rest of the season if need be. That's what I'm being told."

This would also help explain the report by Adrian Wojnarowski from Saturday night.  

The Nets are proceeding in talks as though they’re determined to find a deal for Irving ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline, sources said.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 5, 2023

Woj reported that the Nets are proceeding in talks as though they’re determined to find a deal for Irving ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline.  

The Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns have been named as the teams that are currently negotiating with Brooklyn on a deal. 

Photo: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports