NBA Rumors: Nets give Kyrie Irving permission to seek trade

NBA Rumors: According to a recent report, the Brooklyn Nets have given permission for Kyrie Irving to seek a sign-and-trade.

Kyrie Irving is one step closer to potentially leaving the Brooklyn Nets.

According to a recent report, the Nets have given Kyrie Irving permission to seek a sign-and-trade deal just days before free agency is set to open. The Nets and Kyrie have not seen eye to eye on a possible extension since the end of the season and it has led to the development of bad blood between the two sides.

"While Nets GM Sean Marks and superstar forward Kevin Durant have yet to speak this offseason, Irving’s camp has requested and received permission from the Nets to speak with other teams about sign-and-trade packages, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation."

This is certainly not the place that the Nets wanted to be just a few days before the official start of free agency, but it’s not like this was not something that the team couldn’t see coming.

Since the regular season, it was clear that something was off when it came to the dynamic between Kyrie and the Nets. However, much of that was swept under the rug. Especially when management had a change of mind when it came to Kyrie being a part-time player this past season.

Then, when the team fell short of expectations in the playoffs, it all seemed to fall apart. Of course, Kyrie made sure that none of it would fall on his hands.

In fact, after being eliminated from the playoffs, Kyrie stopped short of saying that he would re-sign with the team. He said he wanted to be in Brooklyn with Kevin Durant. Clearly, the Nets weren’t – and aren’t – on the same page.

Still, I’m not entirely sure that all hope is gone for Brooklyn. I’m sure Durant is going to fight for Kyrie. After all, the two CHOSE to go to Brooklyn together a few offseasons ago. I’m not so sure they’re ready to throw in the towel on the experiment.

That said, this is far from an ideal scenario. Kyrie could very well be on a different team at this point next week. And if it does come to fruition, the next question would be: is KD next?