The Nets are making it clear to rival teams that they intend to keep Kyrie Irving, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, who writes that Irving has been “working out with teammates and holding constructive dialogue with the organization” this summer.
Brooklyn reportedly granted Irving permission to explore trade scenarios at the end of June, but only the Lakers were said to be seriously interested in the point guard, who ultimately chose to pick up his $36.9MM player option for 2022/23.
Recent reports from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein indicated that the Lakers are willing to include both their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks to acquire Irving, but that would involve Russell Westbrook heading to Brooklyn, and the Nets are said to be uninterested in that scenario.
Assuming Kevin Durant remains on the roster into the season, a reunion between Irving and the Nets always made the most sense, as the 30-year-old’s value is at an all-time low and the only realistic pathway to rebuilding it is to have a good season with less off-court drama. The seven-time All-Star only appeared in 29 of Brooklyn’s 82 games last season due to his refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19, but that seems unlikely to be an issue next season, as the New York City mandate was lifted in the spring and there are no plans for a league-wide mandate.
Despite his inconsistent availability and unpredictable personality, Irving has been undeniably effective and productive when on the court, averaging 27.4 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 5.8 APG and 1.4 SPG on .469/.418/.915 shooting during the ’21/22 regular season (37.6 MPG). Matching that level of production for a team that hopes to contend for a title would be nearly impossible for the Nets, given the relative lack of interest in Irving’s services.
As Stein wrote last week, it’s possible Brooklyn’s stance regarding Irving could change if Durant ends up being dealt, but considering Irving is said to be the primary reason Durant joined the Nets, trading his friend away would seemingly only embolden Durant to make further demands.
My moms sister intended on being my aunt til they were my uncle
Is that you Brian? You were always my favorite step sister.
The value of kd is not low. Teams just cant
Afford him. If he requested to be traded before gobert and before most of the teams got their trades… he’s been long gone.
The fact that teams cannot afford him makes his value low – even leaving aside the off court drama. Even though I’m sure every team would be happy to inherit such drama with a $37 million price tag
The article is referring to ‘Irving’ at an all time low, not KD.
And everybody is deep down wondering why Kevin Durant wants to leave?
His “value” isn’t what the Nets ask though, it’s what someone is willing to give up. If the best offer they can get is “player x” and two firsts, that’s his value. Rather that’s low or high is of course subjective. Personally I think a GM would be insane to give up multiple 1sts and a high quality star for KD, though. Dude is a headache.
Yup, T-Wolves screwed up the ‘trading a star’ market with that huge overpay for Gobert.
I remember raps getting Kawahi for Demar, poetle and 1 first.
Then Pups trade everything for a centre who isn’t top five in the league in his own position. I just don’t get the overpay. Especially when one of the better centres are already on their team. Maybe hey thought they were getting Mitchell and messed up the paperwork lol.
Gobert’s definitely not top five he’s top 3. He’s also the defensive center in the league.
Tacocat1331 And yet per 100 possessions his team out scores the opposition by 20 points.
Very few others can boast that.
Gobert can rebound and protect the rim but he can’t shoot, can’t defend the perimeter and is a poor playoff performer
Even during the Clippers series that everyone criticizes him for he held his own on the perimeter for a big guy. He just couldn’t guard 3 people on the perimeter at the same time while also protecting the rim. Mitchell and Conley were both dealing with leg injuries that hobbled them defensively.
He is referring to Irving
The Nets are making a huge mistake since nobody wants to play with this clown(except LeCon) that is. Smh
This self absorbed delusional drama queen will never get a max contract again! Everything about him stinks. If I’m a GM, I’ll rather tank and draft a good PG with a rookie contract then deal with this clown shenanigans. This mf wants 40 millions a year while sitting home and faking injuries. He took the Steve Francis and Stephan Marbury path a long time ago.
I never understood why there was so much Kyrie talk anyway dude opted in and stated he fully planned on being a Net ♂️ He never requested a trade but for some reason we all act like he did. Weird stuff.
I never understand how you can make 99 millions for the past 3 seasons while playing 103 games in total. He’s getting one million per game if I’m not mistaken just to get swept in first round lol.
That’s because Cancer Irving is the Coach/GM and does whatever the hell he wants.
He did request a sign and trade before opting in.
link to google.com
Kyrie is going to have to ball out this year to get one more massive payday.
The Nets just try to get something back for this Cancer now. If not they will definitely regret it later. I wouldn’t want him on any team that I would ever root for. Pass.
Crazy things happen
Nets get Mitchell
Lakers get Irving
Jazz get two Lakers Firsts and Westbrook
4th team would have to offer 3 Firsts to Jazz
Highly Unlikely but possible
So Ainge will pass on the Knicks 4 or 5 first round picks just to get 2 Lakers picks and Westbrick 40 mills contract!! Duh.
@Silivan- That would be great! Where can I sign? So Donovan Mitchell won’t end up on the Knicks!
@silly – you had me at “crazy.”
This is absolutely the right move for the Nets! They didnt have to extend his contract and Kyrie will be highly motivated. They can always move him mid-season, and maybe his fellow drama queen KD will play out this year.
I think the main issue is the nets want an all-star level player plus a bunch of picks. Typically a team doesn’t get both, if the nets get an all star coming back, then it’s really unlikely they get a bunch of picks too. I do think the nets will get to a point (if durant makes them) where they’ll either blow it up and take the picks, or they will take the all star and a pick or two. The rockets were in a similar position with harden and decided to blow it up
Last 5 years Kyrie just keeps on getting better and better, so no one needs to worry about his performance… just it takes a brave FO (which is very hard to find in the league) to give him the big contract that he obviously deserves, right?
You sound like his agent.
The Nets think they can get KD to rescind the trade request, saying they intend to keep Kyrie is merely part of that strategy.
KD made several mistakes as far as chasing his next ring (starting with waiting too long to ask to be traded), and it’s pretty clear that nothing is going to change before the season starts.
Kymie is anything but a team player. KD isn’t going to win anything unless he ends up in San Francisco.
Seriously, what ‘further demands’ can this contract-violating crybaby make? That he wants mama to give him a pacifier? Nets should just tell him to go home and be ready to call his attorney.