Kyrie Irving Megathread: [Latest] NETS Will Not Offer Irving $186M Extension

[God Squad]

I love Kyrie for Simmons for both teams.

Embiid, Kyrie & Harris
Vs
Durant, Harden & Simmons

Kyrie gonna retire before he goes to Philly.

[SharpyShuffle]

I love Kyrie for Simmons for both teams.

Embiid, Kyrie & Harris
Vs
Durant, Harden & Simmons

Kyrie gonna retire before he goes to Philly.

They should trade him for Harris, not Simmons. Philly are still acting like Simmons is a star, so they won't trade him for *maybe* getting Kyrie. But everyone knows Harris is one of the worst contracts in the league.

For Philly, it's win - win. If Kyrie plays and plays well, awesome. But if he retires, you still got off Harris's terrible deal without attaching picks.

And the really nice thing is that you can make your Simmons decision after seeing what Kyrie does. If he plays, you don't need a second star anymore, so trade Simmons for Lavert and Brogdon and get the high-end role players you need to complement your two stars. If Kyrie retires, you can take a longer view with Simmons and stick to the plan of keeping him and trying to flip him for an unhappy star later.

The Nets meanwhile don't need another star - Harris is half as good as Kyrie, but will play twice as much. He's far better suited to being third option on the Nets than second on the Sixers. He slots in very very nicely there and the Nets remain heavy favourites

[WarriorGM]

People making a bigger deal over this than it really is.

Either KD and Harden support Kyrie in this or they don't. If they have no issue with Kyrie missing half the games then the Nets won't either. End of story.

Despite all the talk, people also don't seem to get what Kyrie is all about. Kyrie is all about asserting independence and not being oppressed or controlled. The vaccine mandate conflicts with that. He may in reality believe the science but be opposed on principle nonetheless. I think the chances of him caving on this are low. Kyrie has built an identity on this. Coercion I think will backfire. The best the Nets can hope for is that they are in the playoffs and it becomes obvious that either KD or Harden need Kyrie and Kyrie chooses to get vaccinated to avoid looking he's willing to abandon them.

[JujitsuFlip]

I love Kyrie for Simmons for both teams.

Embiid, Kyrie & Harris
Vs
Durant, Harden & Simmons

Kyrie gonna retire before he goes to Philly.

They should trade him for Harris, not Simmons. Philly are still acting like Simmons is a star, so they won't trade him for *maybe* getting Kyrie. But everyone knows Harris is one of the worst contracts in the league.

For Philly, it's win - win. If Kyrie plays and plays well, awesome. But if he retires, you still got off Harris's terrible deal without attaching picks.

And the really nice thing is that you can make your Simmons decision after seeing what Kyrie does. If he plays, you don't need a second star anymore, so trade Simmons for Lavert and Brogdon and get the high-end role players you need to complement your two stars. If Kyrie retires, you can take a longer view with Simmons and stick to the plan of keeping him and trying to flip him for an unhappy star later.

The Nets meanwhile don't need another star - Harris is half as good as Kyrie, but will play twice as much. He's far better suited to being third option on the Nets than second on the Sixers. He slots in very very nicely there and the Nets remain heavy favourites

I can't imagine Ben and Kyrie on the same team, be a pretty good sitcom.

[queridiculo]

As good as Kyrie and KD are, I would never want either guy on my team. Every stop they've ever been at, the team is just nothing but drama. Happened in OKC, GSW and now here in BKY, then the same with Kyrie in CLE, BOS and here.

Congrats to the Bucks and their fans... Giannis makes these two look like absolute clowns.

Not sure why you're dragging Durant into this?

HIs childish online drama is ludicrous level stupid but he's always showed up for his teammates and has never been a locker room distraction or just a general nuisance to deal with for an organization.

[Bill Bradley]

The US really needs to do something to crack down on rampant misinformation. Kyrie is about to blow up his whole career and a chance at a basketball dynasty because of conspiracies and not understanding science….
This is not how rationale human beings think. If Kyrie wanted to I’m sure the NBA and Nets would have Fauci call him personally to answer all his questions. If it’s gotten to the point where your teammates have to go to chairman and governor because you’re a dip ****, then it’s getting ridiculous.

You need to step away from your tv.

[Bill Bradley]

People making a bigger deal over this than it really is.

Either KD and Harden support Kyrie in this or they don't. If they have no issue with Kyrie missing half the games then the Nets won't either. End of story.

Despite all the talk, people also don't seem to get what Kyrie is all about. Kyrie is all about asserting independence and not being oppressed or controlled. The vaccine mandate conflicts with that. He may in reality believe the science but be opposed on principle nonetheless. I think the chances of him caving on this are low. Kyrie has built an identity on this. Coercion I think will backfire. The best the Nets can hope for is that they are in the playoffs and it becomes obvious that either KD or Harden need Kyrie and Kyrie chooses to get vaccinated to avoid looking he's willing to abandon them.

Don’t think you get him either. He won’t let anyone dictate what goes in his body no matter what happens on the court. Nor should he.

[WarriorGM]

People making a bigger deal over this than it really is.

Either KD and Harden support Kyrie in this or they don't. If they have no issue with Kyrie missing half the games then the Nets won't either. End of story.

Despite all the talk, people also don't seem to get what Kyrie is all about. Kyrie is all about asserting independence and not being oppressed or controlled. The vaccine mandate conflicts with that. He may in reality believe the science but be opposed on principle nonetheless. I think the chances of him caving on this are low. Kyrie has built an identity on this. Coercion I think will backfire. The best the Nets can hope for is that they are in the playoffs and it becomes obvious that either KD or Harden need Kyrie and Kyrie chooses to get vaccinated to avoid looking he's willing to abandon them.

Don’t think you get him either. He won’t let anyone dictate what goes in his body no matter what happens on the court. Nor should he.

No one will be dictating to him. He may need to choose though if he is willing to abandon KD and Harden. He may not care how he looks to others but he may care how he views himself. That is the only real hope here for the Nets.

[SharpyShuffle]

Kyrie gonna retire before he goes to Philly.

They should trade him for Harris, not Simmons. Philly are still acting like Simmons is a star, so they won't trade him for *maybe* getting Kyrie. But everyone knows Harris is one of the worst contracts in the league.

For Philly, it's win - win. If Kyrie plays and plays well, awesome. But if he retires, you still got off Harris's terrible deal without attaching picks.

And the really nice thing is that you can make your Simmons decision after seeing what Kyrie does. If he plays, you don't need a second star anymore, so trade Simmons for Lavert and Brogdon and get the high-end role players you need to complement your two stars. If Kyrie retires, you can take a longer view with Simmons and stick to the plan of keeping him and trying to flip him for an unhappy star later.

The Nets meanwhile don't need another star - Harris is half as good as Kyrie, but will play twice as much. He's far better suited to being third option on the Nets than second on the Sixers. He slots in very very nicely there and the Nets remain heavy favourites

I can't imagine Ben and Kyrie on the same team, be a pretty good sitcom.

They wouldn't be on the same team. The day after Kyrie plays his first game, you ship Simmons to Indiana

[Statlanta]

As a Jazz fan where all is harmonious all I can do is laugh.

Is it really harmonious when Zach Lowe and Bill Simmons are waiting to see if your organization crumbles off the weight of its success?

[JN61]

Man if these dudes were on the Knicks the amount of bashing would’ve been what it already is x100.. we dodged a bullet even tho I do wish we had KD

Nobody cares about the Knicks.

[DaGawd]

Man if these dudes were on the Knicks the amount of bashing would’ve been what it already is x100.. we dodged a bullet even tho I do wish we had KD

Nobody cares about the Knicks.

You do

[ThatClockWork]

send him to the Spurs then. Options are limited. John Wall's contract also works but is quite disgusting to move him. BKN needs to do what's best for them in this case. What's best for the league is for the Nets to be in shambles perhaps.

Spoiler:

They can still win it all without Kyrie

[Hello Brooklyn]

Man if these dudes were on the Knicks the amount of bashing would’ve been what it already is x100.. we dodged a bullet even tho I do wish we had KD

Lol at this victim complex. Nets have been getting bashed 24/7 ever since they signed Kyrie and KD.

Nobody cares about the Knix outside of NYC.

[Hello Brooklyn]

As good as Kyrie and KD are, I would never want either guy on my team. Every stop they've ever been at, the team is just nothing but drama. Happened in OKC, GSW and now here in BKY, then the same with Kyrie in CLE, BOS and here.

Congrats to the Bucks and their fans... Giannis makes these two look like absolute clowns.

I forgot LeBron doesn't bring an extreme amount of drama. Or Kawhi.

Giannis is the exception not the rule.

American born players are mostly divas. Its just the way it is nowadays.

You would instantly take KD or Kyrie on your team. Don't bull us.

[Pointgod]

76ers have already said they don't want an Irving/Simmons swap. So that's that (well, for now)...

I imagine that KD and JH will be willing to first approach this as a 'let's see how we do with Irving in and out of the line-up'. Perhaps the mandate will be lifted sooner rather than later? (Doutbful). Perhaps it can be spun as a positive that the more various line-ups can get used to playing with one another, the stronger they will be come playoff time. But you have to wonder how understanding they will be when Irving can't play a crucial home game in the POs.

There could be some compromise timeline of playing with/without him and at a certain point they meet again to discuss further measures and/ordeclare that they want Irving fully in or fully out.

Irving's response to both talks with his team mates and the situation will likely also dictate ownership's willingness to re-sign him (again, state measures also being a factor). But even if state measures are lifted, it seems Irving has a pattern of taking things further and making it more difficult for the team to handle with each situation. Something for the FO to consider as well.

Kyrie is showing us how to make 200 million dollars disappear. At this point would the Nets even want the headache of signing him long term? It’s always one thing or another with him. I appreciate that he has his quirks and interests beyond basketball but it seems like he hasn’t explained his reasoning for not getting vaccinated even to his teammates. It kind of shows that he’s not a team player and can’t be depended on.

The Nets might just have to cut their losses and get what they can back for him so he can retire.

[mademan]

Kyrie might be the first player in a while i legit believe has the conviction to keep this up even while losing the game cheques. Tough situation for the Nets but i dont see what else you can do but let him be a part time player. He has to have near zero value, no? What team would trade anything for him if their state's vaccine regulations can change at any time?

[Hello Brooklyn]

Trading Kyrie for Simmons would be idiotic.

Kyrie is 1000x better than Simmons in a playoff series. Hes a 50/40/90 guy and was actually our mostly reliable player last year.

Once the court hes elite. Simmons is a head case. Unplayable in the playoffs. Afraid to shoot.

Can you imagine having Simmons in a playoff series. And the other team starts intentionally fouling him in the 4th?

I want no part of that guy. Not to mention Kyrie + Embiid are a legitimate contender to win the East. The Sixers as currently constructed have virtually no chance of winning the East in my view.

Kyrie is being an idiot. But I would rather just hold out with Kyrie and hope he gets vaxxed. Like Simmons once he sees himself losing 30 million+ he will get the shot. Money talks louder than anything else. Idk how quirky Kyrie is. Hes not giving up that much money.

And worst case he can sit out the season. I would rather play without Kyrie for the year than gift him to the Sixers. He probably comes back next year anyway.

I still think the Nets could win the East with KD and Harden.

[Johnny Tomala]

Trading Kyrie for Simmons would be idiotic.

Kyrie is 1000x better than Simmons in a playoff series. Hes a 50/40/90 guy and was actually our mostly reliable player last year.

Once the court hes elite. Simmons is a head case. Unplayable in the playoffs. Afraid to shoot.

Can you imagine having Simmons in a playoff series. And the other team starts intentionally fouling him in the 4th?

I want no part of that guy. Not to mention Kyrie + Embiid are a legitimate contender to win the East. The Sixers as currently constructed have virtually no chance of winning the East in my view.

Kyrie is being an idiot. But I would rather just hold out with Kyrie and hope he gets vaxxed. Like Simmons once he sees himself losing 30 million+ he will get the shot. Money talks louder than anything else. Idk how quirky Kyrie is. Hes not giving up that much money.

And worst case he can sit out the season. I would rather play without Kyrie for the year than gift him to the Sixers. He probably comes back next year anyway.

I still think the Nets could win the East with KD and Harden.

Maybe they should meet with Kyrie - KD, Harden, GM, owner of Nets and hold him and bring doctor to inject a vaccine. It seems like there is no other option.

[KnicksGadfly]

Man if these dudes were on the Knicks the amount of bashing would’ve been what it already is x100.. we dodged a bullet even tho I do wish we had KD

You must have your head in the stand cause all I see is non stop bashing from everywhere (deservedly so). Idk what x100 came out of your ass.

You must be from a small market cause you ain’t even seen nothing yet