‘He’s your headache now’: How the New York media reacted to Kyrie Irving’s trade to Mavs

“HE’S YOUR HEADACHE NOW.”

A front-page headline on Monday’s edition of New York Daily News expressed the sentiments of many in Brooklyn after the Nets traded Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks over the weekend.

“Nets deal Kyrie to Mavs for . . .,” the headline continued, “oh, who cares, he’s finally gone!”

The Nets will also send reserve power forward/center Markieff Morris to Dallas alongside the uber-talented, controversial All-Star in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round pick and second-round picks in 2027 and 2029.

On the court: Irving’s addition appears to be a standout fit next to Luka Doncic.

Off the court: Irving’s outlook remains a concern.

“YOU CAN MAV HIM,” the sports section read in the New York Post the morning after the deal was made.

In the fall, the Nets suspended him for eight games after he promoted an antisemitic film filled with Holocaust conspiracy theories on social media and refused to apologize. The controversy overshadowed the Nets’ early championship hopes and fueled drama around the team’s losing start that included the firing of coach Steve Nash.

Also since his Nets tenure started in 2019, Irving has:

• Taken a weeks-long, unexplained personal break from the team.
• Refused to be vaccinated for COVID-19 to comply with New York City’s stadium mandates, prompting him to miss all but 29 games last season.
• Declared his intention to co-manage the franchise with the Nets’ ownership and general manager.
• Requested a trade Friday after the Nets declined to give him a long-term contract extension before the Thursday Feb. 9 trade deadline.

Irving is in the final season of a four-year, $136.5 million deal, making $36.5 million during 2022-23.

The Mavericks believe their leadership and history with Irving will help manage his personal baggage and foster a cohesive partnership with Doncic.

Could the All-Star pairing become one of the NBA’s most dynamic duos? Sure.

Those in New York though the same when Irving was paired with Kevin Durant.

AM Metro New York wrapped up how many on the East Coast feel with a two-word headline of its own.

“GOOD RIDDANCE.”

More on Kyrie Irving

— Who did the Dallas Mavericks trade to land Kyrie Irving?

— Kyrie Irving could turn Mavericks’ dream backcourt with Luka Doncic into a nightmare

— Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving trade sacrifices culture for NBA title shot. Will it be worth it?

— All of Kyrie Irving’s Mavericks connections: Can Jason Kidd, Nico Harrison keep stability?

Find more Mavericks coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.