The reports keep pouring in regarding Kyrie Irving’s situation with the Brooklyn Nets as the deadline for the decision on his player option continues to draw closer. Irving has the option to play another season with the Nets as a part of his current deal, but he is holding out for a max contract that the Nets have been reluctant to give him thanks to his availability issues and he hasn’t said that he wishes to stay either.
The point guard has reportedly identified several franchises that he could move to in a sign-and-trade, considering that free agency might not pan out exactly how he wants. However, the only team that has come up in terms of concrete interest in Kyrie is the Los Angeles Lakers. And the latest update from Adrian Wojnarowski suggests that the Nets wouldn’t have much of an interest in the potential packages the Lakers can offer.
If Irving declines his $36M player option, he would be eligible to sign with the Lakers for the $6M exception. Deadline is Wednesday to decide on option.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 27, 2022
“Outside of the Lakers, there are currently no known teams planning pursuit of sign-and-trades for Nets G Kyrie Irving. No sign-and-trades can be formally discussed until after 6 PM on Thursday. Brooklyn isn’t believed to have interest in available Lakers packages.
“If Irving declines his $36M player option, he would be eligible to sign with the Lakers for the $6M exception. Deadline is Wednesday to decide on option.”
Outside of the pieces that they can offer, the Lakers would only be able to give Kyrie Irving a $6 million deal as a part of the Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception. Considering the amount that he would be leaving on the table, it would be quite unlikely that Irving would wish to sign that.
The situation is precarious for both the star and the Nets right now, a decision cannot be made lightly or the future might end up being less than desirable. There is no way to predict how the situation might end up, but if Kyrie cannot find suitors outside the Lakers, his leverage might lessen significantly.
