Kyrie Irving suddenly popped up on the Nets injury report on Saturday, and is now out against the Wizards with right calf soreness.
The update is particularly notable given Irving reportedly asking for a trade on Friday after the two sides couldn't agree to a new contract. Irving reportedly balked at the Nets wanting a championship stipulation in a new deal, and told the team to trade him or watch him leave in free agency this summer.
Irving wasn't listed on the initial injury report, but was ruled out on the updated release, which also included Ben Simmons, who was downgraded from questionable to out with knee soreness, despite another MRI showing no signs of injury.
As for Irving, Brooklyn has less than a week to find a trade partner, though interested teams are reportedly hesitant to offer the All-Star a contract due to his track record of difficulty. But Irving's sudden emergence on the injury report, and the timing of it, could suggest that his time with the Nets is near an end.
Irving is averaging over 27 points per game and leading the league in fourth quarter points this season.
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