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Kyrie Irving opted-in to the final year of his contract with the Brooklyn Nets, ending rumors that he might join the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency or through a sign-and-trade. The decision likely means that the point guard will stay in Brooklyn, but it doesn’t guarantee that he’ll end the 2022-2023 NBA season with the Nets.
Irving seemingly tried to force his way out of Brooklyn. The seven-time All-Star attempted to find a team that would trade for him and give him a multi-year contract. Only the Lakers were willing to do so, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, and Brooklyn had no interest in accepting what Los Angeles had to offer.
Irving could’ve entered free agency and signed a $6 million contract with the Lakers. Instead, picked up his player option worth a guaranteed $36.5 million.
Brooklyn was not willing to give Irving a long-term contract extension, and dared him to leave in free agency for a massive pay cut. Now that the 30-year-old is under contract for one more season, the Nets will probably move forward with Irving, Kevin Durant, and Ben Simmons as the core of their roster next season.
That doesn’t necessarily mean all is well in Brooklyn, considering Irving tried to bolt to another team. While a sign-and-trade would’ve been difficult to pull off under the salary cap restrictions, any team can make an offer for Irving now that he’s signed to a one-year deal.
The Lakers don’t have what it takes to put together a trade package that would entice the Nets, making a deal very unlikely. Brooklyn had no interest in accepting Los Angeles’ sign-and-trade offer that included Russell Westbrook, according to ESPN.
Los Angeles can still try, however, to make a worthwhile offer. It would probably mean finding a third or even a fourth team to take part in a trade involving Irving.
Los Angeles’ most valuable trade assets—aside from Anthony Davis, whom the Lakers almost certainly wouldn’t trade for Irving—are first-round draft picks in 2027 and 2029. The Nets probably have little interest in those picks because they are trying to win a championship next year. Another team might value them and be willing to send Brooklyn veteran players if they could acquire the Lakers’ future first-rounders.
Such a deal would probably require a team to take on Westbrook’s $47 million salary, so a reunion between Irving and LeBron James next season almost definitely won’t happen. Ultimately, the Lakers might be forced to give the trio of Westbrook, Davis and James one more shot.
No matter how frayed the relationship between the Nets and Irving might be, Brooklyn is wary of letting Irving go because of how Durant might react. There have been rumors that Irving’s departure could result in Durant asking for a trade.
The Nets remain one of the favorites in the Eastern Conference to win the 2023 NBA Finals.
Photo: Mike Stobe/Getty Images
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