Nets double-down on Kyrie Irving amid Lakers trade rumors

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/nets-double-down-kyrie-irving-151902803.html



Nets double-down on Kyrie Irving amid Lakers trade rumors



Josh Matthews
Mon, August 22, 2022 at 8:19 AM



While the relationship between the Brooklyn Nets organization and Kyrie Irving has had a rocky journey, it seems that both parties have done a full 180 and now are fully invested in each other.


According to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Nets are standing firm in keeping the seven-time All-Star guard. He reports that the Nets have “made clear to interested teams” that they are unwilling to move the ball-handling shot-creator.

Irving has been, “has been ‘holding constructive dialogue with the Nets’ front office throughout the offseason,” said Charania.

Shams adds:

For their part, the Nets believe they have improved the roster and have a championship-level team. The Nets traded for Royce O’Neale, signed T.J. Warren and brought back Patty Mills and Nic Claxton while expecting the full returns of three-time All-Star Simmons and Joe Harris. All-Star Kyrie Irving also opted into his $37 million player option, committed to the 2022-23 season in Brooklyn and sources with knowledge of the situation say he has been working out with teammates and holding constructive dialogue with the organization this offseason. Brooklyn has made clear to interested teams that they plan to keep the seven-time All-Star, according to sources. The Nets were without Simmons and Harris for the majority of last season, including their playoff series against Boston, but both are set to provide a major boost to the upcoming campaign.

This comes days after the Los Angeles Lakers made their future first round picks available for a trade, to which the Nets were reportedly uninterested in because they wanted win-now talent for Irving.

Irving had rough relations with the Nets front office and at first, was unable to come to an agreement for his contract extension, however, Irving decided his guaranteed money in Brooklyn was enough for him.


Bob
MY NOTE:  Aside from whatever impact having Kyahhria Breath remaining in the Atlantic Division might have it also makes it harder for the Lakers to move Westbrook since "who could they move him for, with his salary, besides Kyrie?"  What is somewhat interesting is that Durant is still making noises he wants to leave, but isn't he BFF with Irving?  Is he unaware Kyrie and the front office have been trying to kiss and make up?  Is he just so ready to leave he doesn't care anymore about playing with the guy he went to Brooklyn to play with?  There is talk that Memphis want in on the KD sweepstakes but they want to offer their 5 first round picks and players not named Morant or Bane.  If the Nets want "win now" talent that should not work for them either.  It would bring me great joy to watch both Brooklyn and LAL implode because they made bad commitments.  I will be watching to see if the Lakers' recent commitment to LeBron for $97.1M for 2 years falls into this category.  Kobe was looking pretty good, until his body said 'no mas!".  LeBron is 37 and will be 38 on 12/30.  Kobe retired when he was 37 and LeBron already has 3400 more minutes on his body than Kobe had upon his retirement.


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