What Will Brooklyn Nets Do With Kyrie Irving’s Contract?
Kyrie Irving has a player option for the upcoming season, which, should he accept it, will pay him just shy of $37 million.
Irving has had a tumultuous few years since leaving Cleveland, beginning with a short-lived stint in Boston. Since joining the Nets, Irving has been in and out of the line-up due to his refusal to receive the COVID vaccination.
Still, Kyrie Irving is a star, and it’s possible he could decline his player option in order to re-sign with Brooklyn on a longer-term deal.
Nets GM Sean Marks recently spoke on the matter, saying basically that it was up to Irving what he does with his player option. Marks emphasized the need for players who will “play selfless, play team basketball and be available,” a possible slight to Irving who missed 53 games this season.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Phil Jackson Advising Los Angeles Lakers To Trade LeBron James, Keep Russell Westbrook?
It seems likely that Irving will accept his player option. On the open market, coming off of such a short season, Irving may struggle to find a comparable long-term deal.
A year in Brooklyn, playing closer to 82 games would set Irving up for a potential max deal the following season. Kyrie Irving is still just 30 years old, so he’s likely to earn a full max in the 2023 offseason, should he accept his player option.