It was a tumultuous offseason brooklyn netsis in the process of processing a trade request from superstar forward Kevin Durant. The Nets have said they want to retain their two-time championship, but Durant hasn’t changed his stance on wanting to leave the team, telling team owner Joe Tsai that the franchise will decide between him and the two head coaches. He even said he had to choose between Steve Nash and General Manager Sean Marks. While no progress has been made toward signing Durant, there is no shortage of teams interested in future Hall of Fame inductees. Currently includes the Memphis Grizzlies.
But Durant wasn’t the only difficult situation the Nets dealt with this summer.Kyrie Irving was also at the center of trade rumors during the offseason, most notably linked to los angeles lakers as a destination. When Durant asked for his trade in late June, it was assumed that the Nets would also trade Irving, whose $37 million player he chose this summer. It was thought that if Durant was traded, it would be pointless for a team that could not contend for the championship to need Irving.
However, Shams Charania said that the Nets are a team in the league that they Plan to keep Irving For the 2022-23 season.
Per Carania:
“…Kyrie Irving is focused on the 2022-23 season in Brooklyn and he has been working out with his teammates and having constructive dialogue with the organization this offseason, according to sources familiar with the situation. Brooklyn has revealed to interested teams that they plan to retain a seven-time All-Star.”
It was a fairly quick change of plans for the Nets, especially considering the two sides were unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension earlier this summer. , Brooklyn was hesitant to pay Irving such an amount. It was for good reason. Since joining the Nets in 2019, Irving has missed most of the regular season due to injury, personal reasons, and lack of a COVID-19 vaccination last season. . Given his history in just three seasons, it’s unclear why Brooklyn plans to reverse course and keep him, especially if Durant is disposed of.
Whatever the reason, Irving’s absence from the negotiating table is a blow to the Lakers, who were most interested in trading the All-Star guard. The Lakers hoped that acquiring Irving would allow them to trade Russell Westbrook. However, Brooklyn reportedly didn’t want Westbrook and finding a third team to pawn him wasn’t going to be easy.
Once the season begins, Brooklyn’s plans to keep Irving could change and he could be disposed of before the midseason trade deadline. But for now, regardless of what happens to Durant. , Brooklyn appears to be planning to start the season with at least Irving on the roster.
