Irving and the Nets are reportedly at an impasse as it pertains to his future with the team.
NBA Champions have been crowned, congratulations to the Golden State Warriors.
The NBA Draft and free agency are next on the docket, so let the offseason madness begin.
The rumor mill is spinning. Sports debate shows are pouncing on the juiciest headlines to pull in high ratings. NBA insiders are watching their phones like a shooter on a 24-second shot clock. They’re all ready to shoot, reminding themselves that’s what shooters do, they shoot.
For Irving and the Nets, there’s plenty to shoot with. Multiple sources tell The Athletic that conversations about Irving’s future have gone stagnant between him and the Nets.
Irving has a June 29 deadline approaching on his $36.9 million player option for the 2022-23 season. The seven-time All-Star could opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent.
If that’s to happen, Irving could pursue a new deal with another team. For Irving, however, the flip side to this coin is not getting the full max extension of five years, $245.6 million. Only the Nets can offer that amount to him.
Additionally, there’s the sign-and-trade possibility, as The Athletic also points to.
“A likelier path to any departure would be via sign-and-trade. Brooklyn owes $111 million to six players in 2022-23, not including Irving, so even filling out the roster with minimum salaries would put the Nets over next season’s projected salary cap of $122 million.“
And if Irving were to opt in?
He would be extension-eligible all throughout next season, meaning both parties give themselves more time to negotiate an extension or part ways in a manner suitable for all involved. For the Nets, that’s more time to decide on giving Irving the full max extension or finding a trade partner.
Multiple reports have several teams across the league keeping tabs on the situation, including the Knicks.
Choices — plenty of choices.
And for who?
One of the best basketball players in the world — who no one can be sure will show up everyday for work.
As Brian Lewis of the New York Post reminds us:
“Irving logged only 29 appearances during the 2021-22 regular season, largely due to his refusal to adhere to New York City’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates. And since arriving in 2019 with Kevin Durant, Irving has missed 123 out of 226 regular-season games because of injuries, personal leaves and his vaccine refusal.”
What we do know is we’re all watching to see what the Nets and Irving ultimately decide to do.
“He has some decisions to make on his own,” Nets general manager Sean Marks said last month. “We’re looking for guys that want to come in here and be part of something bigger than themselves, play selfless, play team basketball, and be available.”
For any of us on the outside watching, can we honestly conclude that Kyrie Irving has honored all of those requirements?
If you’re Marks, are you willing to invest the type of max money Irving could be positioning himself for?
You’d have to ask Irving if he’s going to come to work every day and commit to the franchise for that guaranteed money he’ll want.
Moreover, you’ll need to put clauses in any deal proposed to Irving. Because, as it pertains to attendance, his credibility is so low, you can’t trust he’ll show up everyday to do the job you’re paying him for.
There’s a lot here for Marks, his staff, and team owner Joe Tsai to consider.
What’s the end game for Irving and the Nets?
Shortly after the Nets were eliminated from the first round of the playoffs, Irving acknowledged the role he played in the challenges faced by Brooklyn this season.
“I felt like I was letting the team down at a point when I wasn’t able to play… it became a distraction at times.”
Throughout his NBA playing career — with stops in Cleveland, Boston, and now Brooklyn — Irving has shown he’s one of the game’s most unpredictable players to every walk on the court. He’s also, however, one of the game’s most talented.
A healthy Irving and Kevin Durant are still must-see tv. Surrounding them with the right pieces, including a healthy and motivated Ben Simmons, keeps Brooklyn in the conversation for championship contenders.
There will likely be a compromise between the two sides. The Nets are justified in their reasons for having no interest in signing Irving to a long-term contract. And Irving, while mercurial at times, is smart enough to know his leverage for securing long-term max money from Brooklyn is limited, at best.
A short-term deal, loaded with incentives, is what’s best for all involved.
That must be the end game to all of this. Anything more would be insanity.
Anthony Rushing is on Twitter @TonyRushingNY
Baseline Sports NY is on Twitter @Baseline_NY
