The Brooklyn Nets and Kyrie Irving are evidently reaching a breaking point in their relationship. The organization is looking to sign him to a shorter-term deal this summer considering his lack of availability over the last couple of seasons, while Irving himself is hoping for a lucrative multi-year deal.
But as Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report notes, not all is lost between the Nets and Kyrie yet in their negotiations:
As the June 29 deadline on Kyrie Irving's $36.9 million player option for the 2022-23 season fast approaches, the Brooklyn Nets and the All-Star guard still have ground to cover for both sides to emerge content on extension conversations, sources told B/R. The Nets naturally prefer a shorter-term, incentive-laden agreement that includes benchmarks such as games played, sources said. Irving, having missed significant time because of injuries in recent seasons, has prioritized a longer-term contract.
But the dialogue among Irving, his representation and Nets leadership is expected to be fluid in the lead-up to his decision. Both sides appear keen on holding ongoing conversations about building together in Brooklyn, where the Nets can return to the championship-contending aspirations they held entering this past campaign. Since their exit from the playoffs, Brooklyn officials have been working under the assumption that Irving, Kevin Durant and Ben Simmons will return to Barclays Center for the 2022-23 season.
Brooklyn wants to win and Irving must be a part of that. He is in the same boat and even if it means taking a smaller extension with fewer years in order to compete at a high level next season, he should be willing. You really can't blame the Nets for being skeptical about locking him down for the foreseeable future because after all, this is a player who literally suited up for just 103 games in three seasons with the franchise. That doesn't exactly scream big extension.
The Lakers and Knicks are said to be interested in Kyrie if things go astray with Brooklyn. He's got nine days to opt into his $36.9 million player option but as Fischer explained, both teams will have a very difficult time actually striking a deal for the Nets guard, especially LA:
If Irving were to opt in for the '22-23 season with a hope of being traded to Los Angeles, Brooklyn would have little incentive to negotiate with the Lakers, who would struggle to send commensurate value back to the Nets.
Expect this situation to get interesting within the next week. If Irving did actually move on, Kevin Durant will likely be doubting his future in Brooklyn as well because it will be difficult to bring in another star.
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