Kyrie Irving sees a silver lining in the sour way the Nets’ season ended. Irving said on the “Nets Kingdom” podcast that Brooklyn “needed” to go through the embarrassment of getting swept in the playoffs (hat tip to Kurt Helin of NBC Sports).
“It was meant to happen like that. Motivation, bro,” the Nets guard said. “We needed that humbling experience, especially going against the Celtics. It was already built to be that matchup. We’re going to see them again.”
We have more from around the Eastern Conference:
- Ryan Arcidiacono’s contract with the Knicks is a standard, non-guaranteed minimum for one year, and doesn’t include an Exhibit 10 clause, Fred Katz of The Athletic tweets. The Knicks signed the 28-year-old guard on Saturday. He appeared in 10 games with the Knicks last season.
- A couple of scouts interviewed by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald believe Jimmy Butler is the best option as the starting power forward for the Heat with Caleb Martin coming off the bench. However, there are concerns about Butler wearing down by playing that position.
- The Wizards aren’t likely to sign a player to their open two-way slot until the end of training camp, Josh Robbins of The Athletic tweets. Team officials would prefer to see how potential candidates perform in the preseason and whether there’s a better option on the waiver wire. Jordan Schakel has the other two-way spot.
Lakers need $40 million cap room to sign Irving next summer
Lakers need to make playoffs this year though
I dont think Irving will still earn 40 million next year. All the covid drama really has decreased his value.
That’s about $37M more then anyone else will pay him, so good luck with that.
More like 33.
The Lakers will have 30 to 35 million dollars cap space next season. And it wont be enough to attract a 3rd star, But!! They will be better off using it to sign multiple solid role players to help improve depth instead of chasing stars.
LeBron and Anthony Davis are the ONLY players the Lakers currently have under contract for next year.
Part of the reason why the Lakers have NOT made a significant trade is that they do NOT want to take on salary for next year to keep all that cap space to go Big Game Hunting!
They can sign him if they want to next year!!!
Cool story you got there Kyrie.
Kyrie wants to be Kobe without doing the things that made kobe
Its called delusion, Kyrie is a thoroughly delusional man in every aspect of his life.
Nets will see the Celtics 4 times in the reg season. How many games will “motivated” Kymie play?
There will never be a more mentally delusional nba player than Kyrie Irving.
Kyrie is really just the ultimate rich kid – never been told he’s wrong or incorrect in ANY capacity and now he’s a rich child-brained adult who can’t handle the reality happening in front of him and his defense of his terribad background is just infuriating to have to witness.
If longtime vets like Kyrie and KD need a sweep in the 1st round to be motivated, then whats the point?
Kyrie keeps begging us to realize he’s trash – it’s time we believe him.
Butler at PF for Heat? Seriously? Why can’t the Heat just get a real PF or Center? That’s what’s costing us from getting to the Finals and possibly winning.
Congrats to the Knicks signing. Who’s the next superstar that their fans will tell us they’re getting that they won’t be getting?