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Kyrie Irving will begin free agency by meeting with the Brookyn Nets on Sunday night, at which time both sides are optimistic they will agree on a four-year, $141 million contract, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Free agent Kyrie Irving is meeting with the Brooklyn Nets in New York on Sunday and both sides are motivated to move quickly toward reaching a 4-year, $141M deal, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2019
Irving averaged 23.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game for the Boston Celtics this season, one that could be considered the best of his career and culminated in a Second Team All-NBA selection. Despite his statistical prowess, Boston never managed to coalesce at least in part due to Irving's volatility, a development that's made it clear for months he was likely to leave the team in free agency.
Brooklyn's attention now turns to creating enough cap space to also sign Kevin Durant, rumored to be a potential package deal with Irving for the Nets. Their ambitions of bringing in two max-level free agents this summer always meant D'Angelo Russell would have to be on his way out of town, and Brooklyn will reportedly begin that process by renouncing his rights to make him an unrestricted free agent – unless a sign-and-trade of Russell's preference is available.
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Once Kyrie Irving commits to a deal, Nets are expected to renounce All-Star guard D'Angelo Russell and allow him to become an unrestricted free agent, league sources tell ESPN. Russell led Nets to the playoffs this past season. There's tremendous league-wide interest in Russell. https://t.co/cJSryXSUJV
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2019
Nets will be willing to work with Russell and his reps on ways to get him to a team of his choice, including sign-and-trade scenarios, league sources tell ESPN. If Russell and Nets found a sign-and-trade deal that works for both, obviously, there's no need to renounce his rights.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2019
If Kawhi Leonard opts against signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, though, Russell is broadly expected to return to Southern California to play beside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. A clear favorite to land the reigning Finals MVP in free agency has yet to emerge, though the Lakers are reportedly gaining ground on the Toronto Raptors and LA Clippers.
Durant will reportedly choose among the Golden State Warriors, Nets, Clippers, and New York Knicks.
