For both the Brooklyn Nets and Kyrie Irving, opting in was always the best-case scenario for both sides.
Just when it seemed like the end was near for the Brooklyn Nets, Kyrie Irving threw another wrench into all the offseason proceedings. Late Monday evening, The Athletic’s Shams Charania’s recent report on Kyrie threw a hammer down.
The report stated that Kyrie would be opting into the final year of his current contract with the Nets for the 2022-23 NBA season. Meaning that we’re going to get at least one more season, possibly more, of the Kyrie, Kevin Durant duo in Brooklyn.
A possible translation: The Nets and Kyrie were in the midst of a game of chicken and Kyrie blinked.
All in all, however, this always seemed like the best-case scenario for both sides. Without the market for Kyrie, it was always going to be difficult for him to find a plausible sign-and-trade option. For the Nets, they clearly didn’t want to sign Kyrie to a long-term extension.
In this scenario, he will play out the final year of his contract and if all goes well, and perhaps the Nets win a championship or get close to doing so, perhaps they will revisit a potential contract extension.
Either way, this decision gives both Kyrie and the Nets options and time – something that they didn’t seem to have just a few days before the start of free agency.
No matter how it came to fruition, the Nets’ core is now intact heading into next season. It will be interesting to see what this Nets team looks like this season.
Assuming health, there’s a very real chance that a trio of Ben Simmons, Durant, and Kyrie could wreak havoc in the Eastern Conference. And it’s only just that we actually get to see it play out.
It was an ideal route, but the Nets have some resolution. At least for the time being.