After a tumultuous 2021-22 NBA season with the Brooklyn Nets, Kyrie Irving is apparently ready to extend his stay with the team he’s called ‘home’ since 2019. The talented point guard joined the Nets to initially create a deadly duo with Kevin Durant. He then was part of a Big 3 with James Harden and now with Ben Simmons.
Amid many controversies regarding the player and his refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine, the Brooklyn Nets decided to let him be a part-time player until he was able to play home games in New York. However, Kyrie’s antics don’t seem to have made a good impression on Nets’ officials.
He has stated he wants to stay in Brooklyn and win with KD, but perhaps the Nets could have different plans for the point guard. Earlier today, Sean Mark made some remarks about Kyrie and his long-term future with the Nets, seemingly throwing shade at the player for deciding to sit out games this past season.
"We're looking for guys that want to be a part of something bigger than themselves, play team basketball, and be available. That goes not only for Kyrie but everybody here."
Sean Marks on if the Nets are committed to Kyrie long-term.
(via @SNYNets)pic.twitter.com/aOMnP6x6sX
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 11, 2022
“We’re looking for guys that want to be a part of something bigger than themselves, play team basketball, and be available. That goes not only for Kyrie but everybody here.”
The Nets remain a contender team in the East, but they need to be focused on playing basketball and nothing else. This past season the Kyrie saga took a lot of attention away from on-court matters, then James Harden did the same with his passive-aggressive trade request and after that, Ben Simmons joined the party with his injuries.
They still have a talented team and two leaders that can show the way. If they assemble the right squad around Durant, Irving, and Simmons, things will look very promising for the Nets. However, now it’s not that clear that the 2016 NBA champion will stay with them beyond this season.
