After a miserable end to a turbulent season, the last thing the Brooklyn Nets seemed to need was star player Kevin Durant trying to force his way out of the organisation.
But teammate Kyrie Irving believes the off-court drama has brought the Nets closer together and improved their chances of success as they go in pursuit of an elusive NBA title.
Brooklyn made a losing start to the season on Wednesday, being routed 130-108 by the New Orleans Pelicans at Barclays Centre, but there is optimism that they will come good over the weeks and months ahead with Ben Simmons healthy again and Durant back on board after flirting with the exit door in the summer.
The 34-year-old requested a trade away from the Nets in June after they were swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA play-offs, but after meetings with team executives in August, he withdrew his attempts to force a move out of Brooklyn.
With a disappointing season underpinned by unwanted headlines on James Harden's trade to the Philadelphia 76ers, Irving's refusal to have the COVID-19 vaccine and then Durant's efforts to leave, Irving believes the team has come out the other side stronger and they are ready to contend.
“When Kev made that request, I feel like we got better,” he told Shams Charania of Stadium. “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.”
"He's one of the greatest to ever do it and he wants a chance to win. But not only that, I think he believes not only in me, but in myself."
Like Durant, Irving has requested a trade in the past. A year after winning his only NBA title in 2016, the Cleveland Cavaliers were beaten in the Finals by the Golden State Warriors and Irving pushed for a move away. In August 2017, he was traded to the Celtics and spent two years in Massachusetts before joining up with the Nets in free agency.
Five years on, Irving hinted at a sense of regret over the way he handled his exit from the Cavs, which was fuelled by a desire to step out of the superstar shadow of LeBron James.
"The one thing I can say for myself at that time is I did not understand the NBA business, I did not understand the industry I was in, how powerful it was and how connected we all are," Irving said.
"When I asked for a trade from Cleveland, the one thing I look back on is did I exhaust as many opportunities to get closer to guys when I felt some type of difference?
"There was just a lot of stuff in the business that I didn't understand. Asking for a trade, I don't think it was my time to ask for a trade, especially to go to Boston, who were number two or number one in our conference.
"It was just right down the street. I'm grateful I had my time there because it was one of the most historical franchises, but I did not know the power of our industry, the Boston Celtics, the history behind it.
"When I reflect on it at 30 years old, I can say I understand the business better and if anyone can sit here honestly and say they messed up, it was me."
