By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The next chapter in the Kyrie Irving saga features the Brooklyn Nets granting Kyrie Irving the opportunity to talk with other teams about a sign-and-trade deal, according to Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News.
Irving, 30, is widely expected to use his player option valued at 36,503,300 dollars and extend his contract through the 2022-23 season. However, a sign-and-trade deal would send him elsewhere in the NBA.
The Los Angeles Lakers have surfaced as the team with the most serious interest. Reuniting Irving with LeBron James can be considered a huge boost in the effort to resurface among the contenders for the title next season. Back in 2016, the experienced point guard alongside James went all the way with the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA championship.
Recent reports have also linked the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Miami Heat to Irving. A sign-and-trade deal would be complicated for all interested parties, considering the value of the option and likely demanding a long-term contract extension combined with the current salary cap situations across the board.
Irving was initially expected to skip the player option and re-sign with the Nets but things have apparently changed during the offseason.
Being unvaccinated forced him to the sidelines for most of the 2021-22 season, according to the health and safety protocols in New York. The situation hurt the Nets’ chances to convert the Big Three combination of Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden to a championship campaign and keeps on delivering damage as Durant seems to be considering his options.
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