Irving Opts In: What’s Next for Brooklyn?
For the past few weeks, Kyrie Irving has been one of the most-talked-about NBA stars. While he originally indicated that he wanted to run it back with Brooklyn after getting swept in the first round of the 2022 playoffs, many had a hard time believing that he would be in a Nets uniform once the 2022-2023 season began.
Not surprisingly, negotiations reached an impasse. Reports began to surface claiming that Irving would hold his own practice sessions after Head Coach Steve Nash wrapped up his. The same reports also claimed that the Los Angeles Lakers were actively pursuing a sign-and-trade deal to acquire the seven-time All-Star.
Then, Irving shocked everyone.
Irving Picks Player Option: What’s Next?
Just when everyone thought Irving would be headed elsewhere after initial negotiations broke down, Irving took the opposite approach by picking up the $36.5 million player option, theoretically returning to Brooklyn next season.
On paper this move indicates Irving will suit up for the Nets for one more season. Something that would also help the Nets keep Kevin Durant appeased as reports have indicated that there’s a possibility Durant would leave had Irving been sent elsewhere.
While the Kyrie Irving crisis looks to be temporarily averted for now, the Nets have more problems to deal with come the opening of free agency.
The Nets will have five players who could become free agents on Thursday, including Bruce Brown. Patty Mills’ future in Brooklyn also hangs in the balance depending on what he does with his $6.2 million dollar player option.
Brooklyn needs to decide on the future of Andre Drummond, Blake Griffin, Nic Claxton, and Goran Dragic as the 3 veterans are now on the wrong side of 30 and Claxton is an RFA. If the Nets want to compete for a championship with Durant and Irving as their key contributors, the front office needs to surround them with a younger supporting cast.
Then, there’s also the question as to how the Nets will incorporate Ben Simmons into their system next season, assuming he would be ready to play by opening night.
The reality is that the Nets’ options at the opening of free agency are limited because of Irving’s decision to opt into the final year of his current contract with the team. Which creates the very real possibility that the Nets could trade Irving in a bid to avoid the drama of 2021-22 altogether.
At the end of the day however, Irving returning to Brooklyn for one more run doesn’t mean anything if he isn’t healthy, and isn’t laser focused on basketball.
Brooklyn is currently performing a very public high wire act in terms of their roster construction. If they’re somehow able to get everyone on the same page, and make shrewd basketball decisions at the onset of free agency, there’s no reason to think the Nets aren’t title contenders in 2022-23. However, if the team continues to be plagued by off court issues, they’re more than likely headed towards a complete tear down. The difference between title contender and lottery pick team is razor thin at the moment at the Barclays Center.
Brooklyn’s success for next season and beyond depends on how Irving and Durant can co-exist on the floor. If they’re able to put the disastrous 2021-22 campaign behind them, they’ll be a force in the East. If not, then sports pundits will have no shortage of talking points when it comes to the Nets this year.
-Iggy Gonzales
Photo: Erik Drost. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.