Details are beginning to emerge regarding star point guard Kyrie Irving's apparent rift with the Brooklyn Nets.
The eight-time All-Star has once again made headlines, this time after it was reported that he has requested a trade amid stalled contract extension negotiations.
According to Chris B. Haynes of TNT and Bleacher Report, Irving's request came in response to what he saw as an "insulting" stipulation in the Nets' extension offer.
The Nets were seeking to tie Irving's compensation to the team winning a championship, Haynes reported.
It's unclear whether such a clause would even be allowed under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.
Listen to Talkin’ Nets React to Kyrie Irving Trade Request
The report comes months after it was reported that the Nets had sought to include clauses for games played during extension talks with Irving over the summer.
Irving's availability has come into question since joining the Nets, between injuries, absences for personal reasons, his refusal to comply with New York City's vaccine mandate, and a team-imposed suspension for promoting a documentary espousing anti-Semitic tropes on social media.
The 30-year-old former Cavaliers and Celtics star opted into the final year of his contract in the offseason amid an apparent impasse in extension talks.
Since returning from the aforementioned eight-game suspension over his social media activity, Irving has flourished on the floor and was recently named a starter for the Eastern Conference All-Star team.
The long-term fate of both Irving and Nets co-star Kevin Durant remain cloudy, however, with Irving's trade request setting up a scenario where Durant too could seek his exit. The duo both signed with Brooklyn ahead of the 2019-20 season.
During an appearance on NBA TV on Friday, Haynes added that he would be "surprised" if Irving were still with the team past the NBA's Feb. 9 trade deadline.
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