The 2022 NBA offseason has been a whirlwind of trade rumors for the Brooklyn Nets. Their All-Star duo of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving has seemingly had one foot out the door since they were swept out of the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs by the Boston Celtics.
Durant requested a trade from the team just days after Irving opted into his contract for the 2022-23 season following the harsh realization that the long-term contract he was seeking was not going to be found around the league. Since then, things have been relatively quiet on the Irving front compared to things with Durant.
The Los Angeles Lakers are the only team that has shown real interest in acquiring Irving in a trade. But, that seems unlikely, as the Lakers made their first-round picks in 2027 and 2029 available but the Nets still were interested.
The focus instead has been on the 2022-23 season. It sounds as if Irving has finally realized for him to land the lucrative long-term contract that he is seeking, he needs to play well during the upcoming season.
No longer worried about what happens with Durant, the Nets are where Irving is directing all of his attention. And now, it sounds as if Brooklyn is ready to commit to him, as they are now planning to keep him despite the trade rumors that have revolved around him.
“All-Star Kyrie Irving also opted into his $37 million player option, committed to the 2022-23 season in Brooklyn and sources with knowledge of the situation say he has been working out with teammates and holding constructive dialogue with the organization this offseason. Brooklyn has made clear to interested teams that they plan to keep the seven-time All-Star, according to sources.”
This comes just a few days after it was reported that the Nets were seeking win-now players in return for Irving in a trade. Given how things have transpired the last three seasons in Brooklyn, no franchise is going to surrender key assets to bring Irving on as he has been unreliable when it comes to availability.
For at least one more season the Nets and Irving are married to each other. When he becomes a free agent in 2023, each side could go their separate ways, but for now, the focus is on turning things around and contending this upcoming season.
Latest NBA News & Trade Rumors: Brooklyn Nets & Kyrie Irving
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For the latest surrounding Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and the Brooklyn Nets, check out our NBA news and trade rumors feed.
