Brooklyn Nets: Should Kyrie Irving be signed without Kevin Durant?

Exploring whether the Brooklyn Nets should move forward with signing Kyrie Irving without also adding Kevin Durant this summer

The moves that the Brooklyn Nets over the last couple of weeks suggest they know something that we don’t in terms of free agency. They have cleared enough space for two max signees and there have been reports that indicate that Kyrie Irving may already be in the team’s back pocket.

However, the goal for the Nets has always been Kyrie + Kevin Durant this summer. Though, in the event that Durant elects to re-sign with the Golden State Warriors or perhaps move forward with what many expect to happen – he actually signs with the New York Knicks – should the Nets still sign Kyrie?

Recently, there have been whispers that the Nets are having second thoughts of that idea.

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If nothing else, it is a thought-provoking topic. For the Boston Celtics, it really didn’t really work out as many thought it would when they traded for Kyrie Irving a couple of years ago. The Celtics thought adding Irving would be one of the final pieces in this team transforming into a title contender.

In the end, with a healthy Irving, the Celtics were unable to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals. Plus, there was some uneasiness going on in the locker room as well. Perhaps a divorce between the Celtics and Irving is very much needed. But should that lead to Irving inking with the Nets?

Assuming that Brooklyn would essentially be trading D’Angelo Russell for Kyrie Irving, you could make the argument that they should make that swap 10 out of 10 times. However, if the end goal is for the Nets to compete for a championship, Kyrie alone isn’t going to get it done. It didn’t work in Boston, where they had more surrounding talent than the Nets currently do, and it probably won’t work in year 1 in Brooklyn either.

That’s not even a knock on Irving. It’s simply the current NBA that we live in. In today’s league, it takes at the very least two stars to make any type of noise. The Nets, if they can’t get Durant to come with Kyrie, wouldn’t have that next season.

Adding the first star is usually always the most difficult though, which is an important point that needs to be weighed. And if they really believe that Kyrie is really that guy, the move would be seen as invaluable as the team continues to rise in the Eastern Conference.

Signing Kyrie Irving this summer could open the door for the potential of signing another big name either later this summer or next year. Will it come with a risk? Absolutely. After all, Kyrie Irving is one of the most unpredictable players in the NBA right now. When you have a shot at a star in the NBA, you do whatever it takes to secure said star.

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The Brooklyn Nets, while it may come with its risk, should do whatever it takes to lock down Kyrie Irving this summer, with or without Kevin Durant.

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