Once LSU forward Tari Eason was picked by the Rockets at No. 17 in the 2022 NBA draft, he became the first draft asset from the blockbuster James Harden trade (the January 2021 version involving Brooklyn and Houston) to be realized. But he’s far from the last.
Because of that Harden deal, the Rockets have a first-round pick headed their way from the Nets or a right to swap first-round picks with Brooklyn in each of the next five drafts, through 2027. All are unprotected, meaning that even if one of those Brooklyn picks ended up at No. 1 in the first round, it could still go to Houston.
Thus, what’s bad for Brooklyn’s long-term outlook is good for Houston’s, and vice versa. That’s why the report of Kyrie Irving demanding a trade by the Feb. 9 NBA deadline is intriguing from the perspective of the Rockets and general manager Rafael Stone.
While the Nets could certainly receive something for Irving in a trade, it would be very hard to get close to fair value, since superstars are such a precious commodity in a league where quality typically trumps quantity. In addition, Irving is eligible to become a free agent in just a few months, which could further limit his market.
There’s also the matter of what Irving’s potential exit from the Nets might mean for his Brooklyn co-star, Kevin Durant. Should Durant again seek to leave, as he tried to last summer, that could be an even bigger domino for Stone and the Rockets, as it pertains to future picks.
Here’s a look at how fans and media members following the Rockets responded to Friday’s Irving bombshell in real time.
Breaking: Brooklyn Nets All-Star Kyrie Irving has requested a trade, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The franchise has been informed that Irving prefers to move on ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline – or will leave in free agency in July.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 3, 2023
Kyrie Irving is extension eligible up until June 30 with Brooklyn.
If he is traded and amends the 15% trade bonus, he is not allowed to extend with his new team.
The maximum on an extension is 2 years/$78.6M with a new team but only if Brooklyn pays him the trade kicker.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 3, 2023
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) February 3, 2023
Rockets should be willing however be willing to help facilitate a three team trade because some team will be desperate to trade for Kyrie
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) February 3, 2023
The best way for Russell Westbrook to pay back the Rockets for the Chris Paul trade would be to don a Nets jersey.
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) February 3, 2023
#Rockets pic.twitter.com/kjgNSwNBUD
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) February 3, 2023
So good. So toxic. Funny thing is if Kyrie could just keep his name out of tweets that begin with "Breaking …" he would be much more likely to get everything he wants as a free agent or extension.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) February 3, 2023
Another reminder that Houston owns Brooklyn’s:
2023 first round pick (swap rights)
2024 first round pick
2025 first round pick (swap rights)
2026 first round pick
2027 first round pick (swap rights)All of them unprotected.
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) February 3, 2023
If Irving gets his wish, Durant’s right behind him.
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) February 3, 2023
So… now that Kyrie Irving wants out from the Nets does Kevin Durant demand another trade? Or are KD and Kyrie just breaking up?
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 3, 2023
https://t.co/YomH3Xe2Uj pic.twitter.com/z5nSBtmQk1
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) February 3, 2023
https://t.co/8749ElUjmm pic.twitter.com/CO4xI4VvQe
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) February 3, 2023
ESPN Sources: Brooklyn’s Kyrie Irving has not shared a list of preferred teams, but he has maintained an interest in the Lakers. LA is expected to be among the teams that’ll explore a possible trade with the Nets.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 3, 2023
Rockets Fans,
Do we want Kyrie Irving in Houston? 🚀 pic.twitter.com/iDBkuFrCpc
— Summit State Of Mind (@SummitSOMpod) February 3, 2023
• Jan. 7, 2021: Kyrie's hiatus
• June 30, 2022: Kevin Durant requests trade
• Nov. 3, 2022: Kyrie gets suspended
• Feb. 3, 2023: Kyrie requests a trade for the second timeThe full CHAOTIC timeline of the KD-Kyrie Nets: https://t.co/SOofmCxlS6 pic.twitter.com/gRh4rC1y8M
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) February 3, 2023
Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden have now all requested trades from the Brooklyn Nets in the past 13 months.
— Alec Sturm (@Alec_Sturm) February 3, 2023
KPJ Extension >>> Kyrie Extension https://t.co/HQsdHp3W8W
— David Weiner (@BimaThug) February 3, 2023
Plot Twist: Kyrie Irving is just a huge Rockets fan and wants to help them out long-term
— Matthew Cardenas (@Matt__Card) February 3, 2023
There were some talks on a new deal for Irving, but no deal was reached and a trade request was delivered to the organization today, sources tell ESPN. Irving can leave the franchise this summer as a free agent. https://t.co/vnNWbUW56S
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 3, 2023
KYRIE IRVING HAS DEMANDED A TRADE FROM BROOKLYN AND HOUSTON OWNS ALL OF BROOKLYN’S DRAFT CAPITAL
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) February 3, 2023
January 15th https://t.co/stTPjPDzx2
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) February 3, 2023
Whew Child pic.twitter.com/6gfUoQup3p
— Alfred Matthews (@A_Matthews713) February 3, 2023
Nets Twitter been dying for a trade. Instead one of their superstars asks for a trade.
A true Nets tale if I’ve ever seen one
— Anthony Puccio (@APOOCH) February 3, 2023
Almost have to trade him because he absolutely will walk, they have zero leverage in trade discussions and have to find a suitor quickly lol what a terrible position to be in https://t.co/Zlo4e1M3IG
— Abel (@AbelGe87) February 3, 2023
Before you ask – yes the Rockets will / should be as involved as they can be in the BKN situation, whether directly or as a facilitator
More you can influence the future of those picks, the better.
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) February 3, 2023
https://t.co/xVhAARIZBd pic.twitter.com/IJq67AgnQE
— Kind of Paul (@LastNameHyphen) February 3, 2023
Nets back in disarray???
Rockets fans, it's time. pic.twitter.com/UC7IPDvn9b
— Uncharted 2 Negro Bane/Tha Shark Among Thieves (@thashark316) February 3, 2023
This deadline is going to be nutso – Kyrie, maybe KD + solid needle movers like OG, Siakam, Collins + older guys like CP3, Russ all potentially on the move
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) February 3, 2023
So Nets go 18-2 prior to Durant's injury, and show they can be good enough to win a title— & this guy pulls this?
Has there ever been a worse teammate in NBA History?
Total clown show.
— Justin Termine (@TermineRadio) February 3, 2023
Did the #Rockets cause the demise of Brooklyn by TRADING THEIR THIRD BEST PLAYER? Ever??? https://t.co/7Jy0eZyBWk
— Tristan Taylor (@ThirdWardScribe) February 3, 2023
The Nets' strategy to this point, as I reported earlier this week, has been to focus on playing out the season without extending Kyrie Irving's contract … believing Irving likely needs a sign-and-trade in the summer to get to another destination he likes. Kyrie's counter today: https://t.co/ZusHGodbRE
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 3, 2023
If Kyrie wants out, one can assume KD will want out. And if KD wants out…
— C.J. Holmes 🚀 (@CjHolmes22) February 3, 2023
Kyrie really wakes up everyday and chooses violence
— Raheem Palmer (@iamrahstradamus) February 3, 2023
What owning the nets picks is like pic.twitter.com/YeOWPzB2uY
— Kyle Chilek (@Kchile22) February 3, 2023
Tate, Gordon, and 2 first for Kyrie
— Eric (@PointGods) February 3, 2023
LETS GO STONE ! Great trade 😂😂 https://t.co/2H16qDVI2z
— Dior’ The Menace (@PlayzWorld) February 3, 2023
HOW COULD WE EVER HAVE PREDICTED
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) February 3, 2023
— LebronJamesHarden™️ (@LBJamesHarden) February 3, 2023
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!! https://t.co/dds0WsJg7O
— David Weiner (@BimaThug) February 3, 2023
THOSE BROOKLYN PICKS JUST GOT BETTER.
— Taylor Pate (@taylorlpate) February 3, 2023
LFG https://t.co/KmYUuAyL13 pic.twitter.com/WqT5aDjX5J
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) February 3, 2023
nba script writers really slapped with this one https://t.co/vcE2VKQ3fS
— David (@2022WSCHAMPIONS) February 3, 2023
#DestabilizeBKN is here! #Rockets https://t.co/uMn6O6CXf3
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) February 3, 2023
https://t.co/lAMhnQKv4Q pic.twitter.com/bsuQ2VoOEG
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) February 3, 2023
S/O @KyrieIrving
— Apollo (@RedNationBlogga) February 3, 2023
Kyrie Irving saved the trade deadline and the Rockets future asset pile, both were looking bleak.
— Rob Kimbell (@RobKSports) February 3, 2023
The Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks have emerged as potential suitors for Brooklyn Nets All-Star starter Kyrie Irving, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 3, 2023
