When a franchise’s star player requests a trade, it’s likely expected to put a strain on the relationship and cause a ripple effect throughout the squad. But for the Nets after Kevin Durant’s request, Kyrie Irving told Shams Charania on Stadium that it made the franchise “better.”
“When Kev made that request, I feel like we got better,” Irving said. “Afterwards. Not initially, but now where we are now, I feel like we can honestly say we got better, with the principles that are needed for success. Without going through some test in the summertime or during the season, we wouldn’t be able to be as close and bonded as we are now.