The Brooklyn Nets are heading into a make-or-break offseason. It was not long ago that many thought they would be the next dynasty in the NBA with a Big 3 consisting of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden. However, that trio played only 16 games together before breaking up, providing another cautionary tale for any franchise looking to go all-in on superstars.
Right now they technically have Irving and Durant under contract long-term, but depending on how things shake out this offseason, they could have zero. Irving can opt out of his contract worth $36 million for the 2022-23 season and sign a deal as big as a five-year pact worth $245.6 million.
However, the Brooklyn Nets are “outright unwilling” to give Kyrie Irving a long-term contract because of the uncertainty surrounding his availability. Throughout his tenure with the Nets, he has missed time and some of it has been self-inflicted. You cannot trust that he will be available all season, which isn’t a risk a team can take.
Skillset-wise, Irving is a no-brainer max player. What he can do with the ball in his hands very few people have ever been able to do. But, more goes into a max deal than just production on the court.
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Kyrie Irving’s best bargaining chip to landing a contract with the Brooklyn Nets is Kevin Durant. He chose Irving as the player he wanted to team up with in Brooklyn. So, if they don’t bring him back, KD could also look to leave the organization.
If it got to that point, numerous teams would line up to acquire Durant. One team that should get in on the bidding is the Dallas Mavericks.
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Dallas thought they had a long-term running mate for Luka Doncic in Kristaps Porzingis, but all of the issues that plagued him in New York carried over to Dallas. Adding Durant alongside Doncic would help make the Mavericks legitimate title contenders.
The franchise is already seemingly on that path, but Durant would speed that process up. He and Luka Doncic would be arguably the best star duo in the league, giving the Dallas Mavericks a chance to hang with any team in the NBA.
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It is anyone’s guess if Kevin Durant has specific teams in mind should he want to leave Brooklyn, but heading into his 16th season in the league, it is very unlikely he wants to spend it as a solo star with a declining roster while other teams in the Eastern Conference are on the up and up.
Going on 34-years old, the Dallas Mavericks would present him an excellent chance to compete for a title as he nears the end of his prime, playing with one of the best players in the NBA in Luka Doncic.
