Report: Kyrie Irving’s options to leave Brooklyn are limited
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 17: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets and Kevin Durant #7 look on during the first quarter of Round 1 Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on April 17, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Kyrie Irving will likely be on the move again this offseason. As first reported by Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News, Irving has received permission from the Nets to explore a sign-and-trade this offseason. Irving is technically under contract for the 2022-2023 season at $36.5 million dollars, but has an opt-out in his deal for this summer.
Irving may want out of Brooklyn, but his options are expected to be limited. Although he gave the Nets a list of six teams he’d be willing to be traded to, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting just one team – the Los Angeles Lakers – is interested in trading for him. Woj added that “Brooklyn isn’t believed to have interest in available Lakers packages,” meaning Irving would either have to accept a trade elsewhere or sign with LA for the mid-level exception of about $6 million.
If and when Irving leaves Brooklyn, he’ll be joining his fourth team in seven years. After being traded from Cleveland to Boston in the 2017 offseason, he spent two years with the Celtics and three with the Nets.
This news also opens up further speculation about Kevin Durant’s availability. Winfield reported on Monday that Durant “hasn’t spoken to Nets front office” this offseason about his next steps. It has been rumored but not reported that Durant could ask out of Brooklyn if the Irving situation isn’t handled to his liking.
Don’t expect a resolution on either situation immediately. Sign-and-trades can’t begin until 6 p.m. on Thursday, meaning there’s at least a few more days of speculation left ahead.
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