The former Brooklyn Nets big 3 have made a lot of noise since departing the franchise.
It was just in January 2021 when the Brooklyn Nets mortgaged their future again to grab a disgruntled James Harden from the Houston Rockets and form the league’s new dominant superteam. Unfortunately, things fell apart quicker than anyone could’ve expected.
How so? Depending on who you ask, the answer can be poor organizational management, player ego, or bad luck. However, with the team broken up and some time passed, there is no question the Brooklyn Nets look better as time goes on.
The Big 3’s spiral out of Brooklyn
For one, Harden’s recent blowup in Philadelphia calling GM Daryl Morey a “liar” has put the 76ers future in serious question. Kyrie Irving was reportedly upset and felt “very disrespected” by the organization due to not being offered the full max contract.
When acquiring Irving, the Dallas Mavericks fell out of the playoff race and even failed to make a play-in spot missing the post-season entirely.
Irving once again in the summer of 2023, held little interest from the league and re-signed at a “three-year, $120 Million deal with a $6 million incentive for games played and team success.
Kevin Durant seemed to be going into a terrific situation with the Phoenix Suns. However, the team lacked depth in the playoffs and again got embarrassed at home facing elimination. Durant will be 35 in September and didn’t play up to his standards for a second post-season in a row.
Even with the addition of Bradley Beal, major questions linger about Deandre Ayton’s happiness and the depth behind three stars who missed a combined 96 games in 2022-23. With the Suns hiring Frank Vogel, it will be the sixth head coach Durant has cooperated with since 2019 if you count Kenny Atkinson.
The Brooklyn Nets are in a better position
The Nets acquired rising star Mikal Bridges and charismatic role players Cam Johnson, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Dorian Finney-Smith as well as brought in numerous draft assets for Irving and Durant.
They still have Ben Simmons from the Harden trade in 2022, who struggled significantly last season, but still has the opportunity to rebound his career on a team that fits him well.
With the big three gone, Brooklyn feels calm and can move on from a time of consistent drama and headaches for four years.
All of a sudden the Nets are drama-free. Perhaps Nets owner Joe Tsai and general manager Sean Marks aren’t as terrible as some people want you to believe they are.