By: Nina Cray
Prior to this NBA season, the Nets were highly favored and expected by many to play for a championship.
However, Nets fans were disappointed, and some were surprised to see the Nets leave the postseason without a single win after being swept by the Boston Celtics.
Brooklyn has Kevin Durant on lock for a while – the superstar signed a contract extension last offseason that will keep him in Brooklyn until after the 2025-26 campaign, but what about Kyrie Irving?
The Nets may be hesitant to offer an extension to Irving for a multitude of reasons – especially after the events of this season. Kyrie’s injury history wouldn’t be appealing to any team seeking a long-term commitment, and his refusal to get vaccinated cost the superstar – and the team – valuable season wins.
Going forward, Brooklyn is simply being more cautious when it comes to the guard, especially with the possibility that New York could reinstate a vaccine mandate, sidelining Kyrie yet again.
Irving has expressed his desire to stay with the Nets, but it should be noted as well that he has a $36.5 million player option that he could decline this summer – making him an unrestricted free agent.
Senior NBA writer Kristian Winfield said that if Kyrie Irving does depart from the Nets, it might frustrate superstar Kevin Durant – Kyrie being a prime reason he wanted to play with them.
He wrote, “If Irving leaves the Nets, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Durant becomes frustrated with the organization’s ability to put championship pieces around him.”
Despite negotiations definitely being in the works, the Nets haven’t offered a comment at this time.
Sources:
May 25th, 2022. SB Nation Nets Daily. “As free agency gets closer, negotiations begin.” <https://www.netsdaily.com/2022/5/25/23141588/with-free-agency-getting-closer-negotiations-have-begun>
Wysong, David. April 27th, 2022. Sportscasting. “Kyrie Irving Contract: is the Nets Guard a Free Agent in 2022?” <https://www.sportscasting.com/kyrie-irving-contract-is-nets-guard-free-agent-2022/>
Wimbish, Jasmyn. May 25th, 2022. CBS Sports. “Nets unwilling to give Kyrie Irving long-term contract, per report.” <https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nets-unwilling-to-give-kyrie-irving-long-term-contract-extension-per-report/>
