Player movement in the NBA is extremely common, and we have seen more players switch teams in the modern era than we did in the 2000s or before that. But three players have taken player empowerment to new heights.
Former teammates Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden have moved around the NBA in recent years. With Harden reportedly on the trade block upon request this summer, it means the trio have made seven trade requests in just two-and-a-half seasons.
Harden, KD, and Kyrie have combined for 7 trade requests in less than two seasons.
Historic numbers.
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) June 29, 2023
Irving and Durant both had failed trade requests in the summer of 2022 before their successful trade requests in February 2023 allowed them to find new homes in Dallas and Phoenix, respectively. That is four trade requests within half a season from both of those players.
Harden’s trade request habit started in 2021 when he was moved to the Brooklyn Nets from the Rockets. He was then traded at the 2022 trade deadline upon his own request to the 76ers. With this latest request to be traded away from Philly, that is a whopping three requests in just two-and-a-half years.
Are Any Of These Players Going To Stay Loyal?
Kevin Durant is probably the safest bet to stay on his own team for the foreseeable future, given the heavy investment the Suns have made in constructing yet another superteam around him. Unless the Suns want to get rid of KD, he is going to stay on that roster.
Kyrie Irving can sign a long-term contract with his current team this summer, but it seems he will make the Mavericks chase his signature. Irving is taking a meeting with the Suns for some reason, despite the team being over the luxury tax threshold, which restricts them from offering anything more than a minimum contract to Irving. If he gets his long-term extension in Dallas, there’s no telling if he asks to be traded by midseason because the Mavericks were just a way for him to gain financial security.
Harden is definitely on the move, but even he’ll hope that the next team he plays for is the final stop in his career. The 33-year-old is entering the final stages of his career but still could be a championship-level point guard, provided he has weapons around him.
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