Dallas, Texas - Kyrie Irving expressed his gratitude to Brooklyn Nets fans for helping him fulfill a childhood "dream" of playing for the franchise as the point guard prepares to make his debut for Dallas Mavericks when they travel to take on the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.

Irving requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, and just two days later the controversial superstar got his wish as the Mavericks sent away Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a first-round draft pick, and two second-rounders in exchange for Irving and Markieff Morris.

It is easily the biggest trade of the NBA season so far, and it comes less than two weeks after 30-year-old was named a starter in what will be his eighth All-Star Game appearance.

And despite not being a universally popular figure, Irving paid tribute to Nets fans – who booed him when his face appeared on a big screen ahead of Saturday's win over the Washington Wizards. "Thank you NetsWorld fans and supporters for the love on and off the court," he tweeted.

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"I will forever be grateful I got to live out my dream I had as a kid with y'all. It will always be love from me and my family."

After sitting out most of the 2021-22 season in protest to New York City's vaccination mandate, Irving had been in the midst of a strong bounce back campaign, averaging 27.1 points, 5.3 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game while shooting 48.6% from the field, 37.4% from deep, and 88.3% from the free throw line.

He had played in 40 of the Nets' first 51 games this season, before also missing their 52nd with what was labelled "calf soreness" the day after he demanded the trade from Brooklyn, when it was also reported he was willing to sit out until a trade was made.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, that calf soreness has subsided and, pending a physical on Monday, he is expected to suit up in Mavericks colors for the first time on Wednesday.

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The Athletic's Shams Charania states the Clippers were one of three other teams serious about trading for Irving – along with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns – and the Clippers will face him in the game after they return from their road trip, which wraps up Monday against the now Irving-less Nets.

There are no more scheduled meetings between the Nets and Mavericks for the rest of the campaign, with Dallas having already swept the season series 2-0.