Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: Stephen A. Smith Sounds Off On Kyrie Irving’s Future With Nets: “I Would Never Give Him A Long-Term Contract Again. You Can’t Trust Him.”
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > Stephen A. Smith Sounds Off On Kyrie Irving’s Future With Nets: “I Would Never Give Him A Long-Term Contract Again. You Can’t Trust Him.”

Stephen A. Smith Sounds Off On Kyrie Irving’s Future With Nets: “I Would Never Give Him A Long-Term Contract Again. You Can’t Trust Him.”

Divij Kulkarni
Apr 24, 2022
3 Min Read
Share

Credit: Winslow Townson/USA Today Sports

Kyrie Irving was flying high after his return to full-time action for the Brooklyn Nets this season, enjoying some stellar games and putting up grand performances in his return to action. Things were looking good and the Nets seemed like they were clicking at just the right time to make a good playoff push. 

All of that has crumbled within the matter of a week, Brooklyn finds itself down 3-0 against the Boston Celtics and is somehow on the cusp of being swept in the first round. Many factors have caused this predicament, poor coaching decisions, a shooting slump for KD, and the Celtics’ being good have all contributed to it. 

However, the dysfunction around the team has existed long before that, and a lot of people and fans seem to blame Irving for it. James Harden reportedly moved on after having issues with Kyrie, and the person they got in return, Ben Simmons, is yet to see the floor for his new team. 

All things considered, NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith has laid into Irving for all the issues that he has seemingly brought to the Nets with him, with SAS claiming that he would never give Kyrie another long-term contract. 

Stephen A. Smith goes off on Kyrie Irving

“I would never give him a long-term contract again.”

(🎥 @_Talkin_NBA )

https://t.co/RnPrUlVpFy

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 24, 2022

“Kyrie Irving is box office, this brother deserves $50 million a year. I would never give him a long-term contract again. He cannot be trusted. You pay him one year at a time. I don’t care how much money he gets, you pay him on year at a time. You know why? Cuz you gotta make sure he shows up to work. 

“This man has played in 11 seasons in this NBA. He has played over 60 games 4 times and there’s 82 games in the season. He is one of the absolute professionals at missing work. I’m not giving him a long-term deal, you got to be crazy.”

Since he joined Brooklyn 3 seasons ago, Irving has featured in just 103 regular-season games, with various injuries and off-field controversies accounting for a lot of that. It’s hard to build a team around someone that’s not too reliable in terms of availability, even if they’re as good as Kyrie, so it remains to be seen what the Brooklyn Nets decide to do in regards to Irving’s future. 

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Kyrie IrvingStephen A. Smith
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByDivij Kulkarni
Follow:
Divij Kulkarni is an NBA columnist for Fadeaway World. He has covered the NBA and the English Premier League, with 4 years of experience in creating sports content. Finding exciting and intriguing content about all things NBA is both his job and his passion. Divij loves the Dallas Mavericks and can be regularly observed getting emotional during games. Outside of basketball, he enjoys reading fantasy and sci-fi novels, consuming copious amounts of movies and TV, and spending time with his dog, Olivia. Expertise: NBA, Historical Sports ResearchFavorite Team: Dallas MavericksFeatured On HoopsHype, Sports Illustrated, Secret Base, MSNPrevious Work: Tribuna
Previous Article NBA Fans React To Video Of LeBron James Dancing While On Vacation: “Only Wish I Have Is To Live Stress-Free Like This.”
Next Article Kevin Durant Is Having A Worse Series Against Boston Celtics This Year Than LeBron James Had In The 2011 NBA Finals
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Oklahoma City Thunder News & Analysis

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Says 2026 Title Run Was A “Step In The Right Direction”

October 3, 2025
Brooklyn, NY, USA; Caitlin Clark poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after she is selected with the number one overall pick to the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
NBA News & Analysis

WNBA Commissioner Denies Making Controversial Caitlin Clark Comments

October 3, 2025
Brooklyn, New York, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) high fives head coach JJ Redick during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

JJ Redick Provides Update On Luka Doncic After He Gets Ruled Out For Lakers’ First 2 Preseason Games

October 3, 2025
Devin Booker
Phoenix Suns News & Analysis

Devin Booker Reveals He Has “Unfinished Business” With Phoenix Suns

October 3, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?