The Brooklyn Nets reportedly might have doubts about signing Kyrie Irving this summer if he isn't bringing Kevin Durant with him, according to Brian Lewis of The New York Post.
The Nets have cap space this offseason to sign both Irving and Durant. KD is expected to miss the entire 2019-20 season due to his Achilles injury, but Brooklyn is reportedly still prepared to sign him to a max contract this summer.
Irving's stock around the league dipped a little after his tumultuous season with the Boston Celtics. The six-time All-Star is still a special talent on the floor, but his leadership skills have come into question.
The Post has confirmed Brooklyn might have qualms about signing the enigmatic Irving if he isn’t bringing the injured Durant with him.
Other teams had already backed off of pursuing Irving with similar concerns over the way things went awry in Boston. If the Nets do the same, it would mean keeping Russell, who is a younger and cheaper option as a restricted free agent.
Nets All-Star point guard D'Angelo Russell becomes a restricted free agent this offseason. The prevailing thought is that the Nets would renounce Russell's free agent rights — making him an unrestricted free agent — if they sign Irving.
By all accounts, Irving to Brooklyn is pretty much a done deal already. However, it looks like Brooklyn wants to make sure they know what they are getting into before signing the enigmatic star guard.
Both Irving and Durant now have the same sports agency, Roc Nation Sports. Irving has probably been talking to Durant about playing together on the Nets. We'll see if it actually happens in a few weeks once free agency starts on June 30.
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