After just three seasons, the Brooklyn Nets' superstar combo of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant seems destined for a nasty breakup. Rumors have circulated for weeks about Irving's desire to move on from Brooklyn, and how that would bring about KD's departure as well. According to new reports, it seems as though these rumors will become reality.
The Nets have granted Irving permission to discuss sign-and-trade possibilities with other teams, according to Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News, leading those familiar with the situation to believe the solution where both players remain in Brooklyn is becoming less and less likely.
Sources: Kyrie Irving has requested and received permission from the Nets to find sign-and-trade offers from other teams. Kevin Durant still hasn't spoken to Nets front office. Russell Westbrook to Brooklyn remains unlikely. More for @NYDNSports https://t.co/SQ0hZxL4fm
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) June 27, 2022
“The belief among both league and player circles is that Irving is gone and the Seven-Eleven Era is over before it ever began,” Winfield reports.
Irving never really found momentum in Brooklyn. In three seasons, the former NBA champion appeared in just 103 regular season games. Injury, personal agendas and clashes with New York City's COVID-19 mandates kept Irving off the floor. This led to struggles with inconsistency and postseason production for the entire team.
The news of Irving's departure could crush the Nets' outlook for years to come. If Irving leaves and inspires Duran to follow suit, the Nets will have given up considerable future assets just to start from scratch. They. own almost none of their future draft picks for the next decade and have virtually no young roster pieces.
It will be interesting to see whether Brooklyn tries to flip its two stars for other established players or blow it up and go young. Whatever they choose, big changes are around the corner for the Nets.
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