NBA analyst Steven A. Smith reckons Kyrie Irving had been more consistent, Kevin Durant would have wanted to still remain with the Brooklyn Nets. Durant has requested a trade from Brooklyn Nets, his business manager Rich Kleiman told ESPN’s, Adrian Wojnarowski on Thursday.

Smith believes it is because of Irving that Durant wants to leave Brooklyn Nets. Earlier in the week, Irving decided to opt into $36.5 million option to stay with Brooklyn Nets.

Meanwhile, Irving decided not to take the vaccination shot against Covid-19 and thus he could not play at home in New York because of City’s vaccination mandate for employees.

In fact, both Irving and Durant signed up with the Nets in 2019 but interestingly they played only 44 matches together. Smith reckons Irving ruined the Nets as he wasn’t consistent.

“I feel like Kyrie Irving ruined the franchise,” Smith said while talking to ESPN. “I feel that all of this is his doing. If Kyrie Irving had shown up to work and he had been a more consistent presence, then he’d still be in Brooklyn, KD will still wanna be in Brooklyn.

“They probably might have won a championship or at least be knocking on the door again ’cause we all know Kyrie is a spectacular talent. … I know he and everybody close to him wants to blame me, as if I’m the only one talking about him instead of the entire NBA community.”

Despite Irving opting for player option deal, there are reports that he could join the LA Lakers. Smith said there is a good chance that Irving could join the Lakers.

“He’s been telling people he wants to be in LA,” Smith said. “He’s been telling people he wants to wear the same uniform Kobe Bryant once wore. If you’re a LeBron James, you certainly don’t mind that.”

Meanwhile, Durant averaged 29.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists in the previous season of the NBA but he played only 55 matches as he was recovering from an MCL injury.