Kyrie Irving has told the Brooklyn Nets that he wants to be traded ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline, a source told ESPN’s, Adrian Wojnarowski. The franchise has been informed that Irving prefers to move on ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline – or will leave in free agency in July. This is big news considering he’s been playing like one of the best players in the league, playing on one of the best team’s in the league.

After serving a team-mandated suspension earlier in the season for promoting an antisemitic film, Irving had played some solid basketball for the Nets who have climbed the standings of late. Even though his career has been loaded with it, his run in Brooklyn had been relatively drama-free. This request comes as a bit of a surprise to many. According to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, Irving’s trade request appears to be related to failed extension discussions between his reps and the Nets.

Shams Charania reports on Kyrie’s trade request: “Nets offered Kyrie Irving a contract extension that had some stipulations in it… his side was vehemently against any stipulations in an extension. He believes that he deserved a fully guaranteed contract.”

If the Nets do trade Irving, many insiders are looking at the Los Angeles Lakers as a potential landing spot. Irving is apparently open to reuniting with LeBron James and the Lakers are reportedly willing to offer Russell Westbrook and draft capital to Brooklyn in exchange. Bobby Marks of ESPN tweets, Irving’s expiring $36.9MM contract includes a 15% trade kicker that would currently be worth $2.1 million. It would be up to the Nets to pay that bonus if he’s traded.

Irving has averaged 27.2 points, 5.3 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game on .495/.399/.870 shooting in 32 appearances since serving his suspension. Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden have now all requested trades from the Brooklyn Nets in the past 13 months.