According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Kyrie Irving has reportedly decided to opt in to the final year of his contract and play for the Brooklyn Nets during the 2022-23 season.
Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving is opting into his $37 million player option for the 2022-23 season, @TheAthletic @Stadium has learned. Irving is bypassing on multiple opt-in and trade scenarios to fulfill his four-year commitment to the Nets and Kevin Durant.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 27, 2022
Irving and longtime friend Kevin Durant will get to play one more year together and fulfill their four-year commitment to the Nets and each other as players and friends. The duo has played 44 games together since the duo signed in Brooklyn in 2019.
Irving’s decision comes days into stalled negotiations between Irving and Brooklyn’s front office. Irving made it clear he wanted to stay in Brooklyn and be a part of the franchise long-term after Boston swept the Nets in the first round of the playoffs. GM Sean Marks was mum on the possibility of re-signing Irving, and days later, it was revealed that the two parties had “ground to cover” in contract talks.
— A11Even (@KyrieIrving) June 27, 2022
The stalled talks led to Irving reportedly requesting and receiving permission to negotiate a sign-and-trade deal with the six teams he preferred to be moved to, including the Lakers and Clippers. After those negotiations weren’t fruitful, Irving decided to stay in Brooklyn and play out the remainder of his contract despite some interest from the Lakers.
Irving finished the season averaging 27.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game on 46.9 percent shooting from the field and 41.8 percent from beyond the arc.
