REPORT: Kevin Durant Contemplating Future with Nets Amidst Uncertainty Around Kyrie Irving
The Brooklyn Nets’ offseason plans just got more complicated. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Kevin Durant is contemplating his future with the Nets as the uncertainty around Kyrie Irving and Brooklyn’s front office agreeing to a contract extension continues to develop.
Sources: Kevin Durant is monitoring the Brooklyn Nets’ situation and considering options with his future.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 23, 2022
This now opens the path for Kyrie Irving to proceed on finding a new home via opt-in and trade.
After Brooklyn’s unceremonious exit from the playoffs against Boston was completed, Irving made it clear he wanted to return to the Nets and be involved in the front office making moves this summer. However, GM Sean Marks was singing a different tune, revealing that the franchise hadn’t committed to re-signing the multi-time All-Star.
Last Sunday, Charania reported that the franchise and Irving were at an “impasse” in their contract talks. A day later, Jake Fischer said that the two parties had “ground to cover” in their negotiations.
According to Woj, the situations have gotten to a point where Irving has prepared a list of teams he’d like the Nets to trade him to via sign-and-trade if extension talks continue to stall. There are six teams Irving would like to be moved to, the Lakers, Clippers, Knicks, Heat, Mavs, and 76ers. None of the teams have the cap space to sign outright, making sign-and-trade is needed to make a move happen.
If Kyrie Irving can’t reach an agreement to stay with the Nets, he has a list of teams he’d like them to consider on sign-and-trades, including Lakers, Clippers, Knicks, Heat, Mavs and 76ers, per @wojespn. pic.twitter.com/g8Wb50w4MX
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) June 23, 2022
