Just a few days ago, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant were both still members of the Nets. Fast forward to the day of the trade deadline and both superstars will be out in the Western Conference.
On the evening that Irving made his Mavericks debut, the NBA world was hit with blockbuster news as Durant has reportedly been traded to the Suns.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski was first to report the deal, with Durant and TJ Warren headed to Phoenix for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four unprotected first-round picks and one first-round pick swap.
MORE: NBA Twitter reacts to Kevin Durant trade | Kevin Durant to Suns trade details
Durant's former teammate, Irving, was coming off of his first game with Dallas, going for 24 points in a win over the Clippers when the news broke.
Kyrie in his Mavs debut:
— NBA (@NBA) February 9, 2023
24 PTS (team-high)
4 REB
5 AST
4 3PM
W pic.twitter.com/Woshjcob9U
When Irving addressed the media for the first time as a member of the Mavericks, he was, of course, asked about his thoughts on Durant also leaving Brooklyn.
"There's never been one moment where I felt like he's been angry with me for the sins that I've made or that I've been angry with him," Irving began. "We just tried to understand each other and grow as human beings, grow as brothers.
"This business changes so quickly. He's getting a little bit older, I'm getting a little bit older, I just love the competition now that we can be in the same conference and I welcome all of that. I'll see him a little bit more, probably play against Phoenix a lot more," he continued.
"That's what I'm looking forward to. Everything else in between, I'm just glad he got out of there."
Kyrie on Kevin Durant getting traded from Brooklyn to Phoenix: “I’m just glad he got out of there.” Kyrie also noted that “there’s never been one moment where I felt he’s been angry at me for the decisions I’ve made.”
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) February 9, 2023
🎥: @MarkG_Medina pic.twitter.com/omjHXKjUiK
The last sentence carried some weight in his answer, sounding relieved for his friend who he left behind after requesting a trade out of Brooklyn last week.
While Durant never vocalized a trade request in the days following the deal that sent Irving to Dallas, there were several reports suggesting that teams were positioning themselves in case the 13-time All-Star decided he wanted out of Brooklyn (again).
According to Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes, it was a "collaborative effort" between the Nets and Durant's camp to find the right situation, and now, one of the greatest scorers of all time will team up with Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton.
Now, the two former teammates can circle their calendars for Sunday, March 5 when Irving's Mavericks will host Durant's Suns at American Airlines Center in Dallas.
