Could the Nets lose both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant?
If they aren’t careful, the Nets could soon have a very serious situation on their hands, the question is can they offer their stars what it takes to stop that from happening?
It’s hard to believe where the Brooklyn Nets are at now, compared to the kind of anticipation that existed before a ball was bounced at the start of this season.
The Nets could lose both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant
There has been yet another twist in the increasingly contentious situation that is developing in Brooklyn. If reports are to be believed, the Nets may well be at risk of losing not just one of their two major stars, but both. With the well documented contract negotiation between Kyrie Irving and the franchise still ongoing, there have also been reports that former league MVP Kevin Durant is “monitoring the situation and considering options with his future.”
Kyrie Irving gives Nets list of ‘sign and trade’ options
What’s interesting to note where Irving specifically is concerned, is that with chatter indicating that discussions have stalled, the star point guard has allegedly provided the Nets with a list of teams he would be interested in joining via trade. Irving’s list of potential teams has six entries on it: the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers. Reports recently suggested that there is indeed a good chance that the The Lakers could acquire Irving. One can imagine that with former teammate LeBron James openly relishing an opportunity to play with Irving again, it’s a story that’s gaining traction.
The rest of the teams on Irving’s list all carry some degree of merit. The Knicks would of course offer Irving the opportunity to remain in his home town, while the Heat were in fact on his list of preferred options back in 2017 when he requested a trade from Cleveland Cavaliers. The idea of Irving in a 76ers jersey may be surprising to some given that it was his hesitance to get vaccinated against covid-19, that in some ways contributed to James Harden forcing his way out of Brooklyn. Would Irving’s arrival be a welcome sight for Harden or would it push him to look for the exit door once again?
What about Kevin Durant’s situation?
Like Irving, it’s understood that Durant has also given the Nets a list of places he’d like to play should they fail to come to an agreement, however, Durant’s situation is distinctly different from that of his teammate’s. Irving could well take things to the next level if he opts out of the final year of his deal to become a free agent, something he could potentially do in just one week. Durant on the other hand signed a four year extension just one season ago. One can imagine that doesn’t leave him with a strong hand at the negotiation table when it comes to pushing for a trade to a desired destination.
How the Nets have fallen
Though it’s true that the world of professional sports contracts can be volatile, it still remains shocking to see where the Nets find themselves today, considering the fact that they were more or less considered champions elect just one year ago. This after all was a team that had secured one of the most talented point guards seen in recent years in Irving, a dynasty player and former MVP in Durant and one of the hottest commodities the modern game has seen in Harden. Today, their two stars are apparently engaged in a battle with the franchise, Harden is now with the 76ers and underwhelmingly so and his replacement Ben Simmons hasn’t played any basketball due to what seems to be a chronic back problem. Can the Nets get themselves back on their feet? If they are to do so it will undoubtedly be tied to their ability to convince their two stars to stay put.