Shams: Kyrie Irving opting in

[bisme37]

The first attempt at this thread got wildly derailed with COVID, vaccines and politics. This is a basketball forum and the topic here is about basketball. Please do not derail the thread. Violations are subject to strikes. Thx -b

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6/27/2022:

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Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving is opting into his $37 million player option for the 2022-23 season, @TheAthletic
@Stadium
has learned. Irving is bypassing on multiple opt-in and trade scenarios to fulfill his four-year commitment to the Nets and Kevin Durant.

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Kyrie Irving: “Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow. I’ve made my decision to opt in. See you in the fall. A11even.”

[FluLikeSymptoms]

He’s going somewhere sucky.

[infinite11285]

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Let's try this again. ANY vaccine/COVID-related discussions that extend beyond the NBA will result in strikes/bans.

For example, discussions involving vaccine efficacy, death rates, Big Pharma, DC politicians, the merits of any political party, et al., are prohibited.

[bisme37]

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Lets try this again. ANY vaccine/COVID related discussions that extend beyond the NBA will result in strikes/bans.

For example, discussions involving vaccine efficacy, death rates, Big Pharma, DC politicians, the merits of any political party, et al., are prohibited.

Looks like we had the same idea haha. I just merged our two re-do threads together.

[zshawn10]

[Stephen A. Smith] Kyrie Irving last season would conduct his own team practices after Steve Nash

[Texas Chuck]

I'm curious if a Kyrie exit leads to KD also asking out since they came as a package. But it goes to the downside of assembling superstars. Many of these guys are difficult to deal with on multiple levels and they went from 3 to now maybe 1 or 0 in short order.

[Capn'O]

I hope the Knicks don't do this.

[HomoSapien]

Although KD has publicly been supportive of Kyrie, I would imagine that he and the FO are somewhat aligned here.

[Capn'O]

I'm curious if a Kyrie exit leads to KD also asking out since they came as a package. But it goes to the downside of assembling superstars. Many of these guys are difficult to deal with on multiple levels and they went from 3 to now maybe 1 or 0 in short order.

He and Durant may not be so close anymore. Lord knows I'd be pissed if I were KD. Probably matters what the team looks like next year. Simmons and a good wing could be pretty good with him.

[LarsV8]

That's a damn shame right there.

[TacoLord]

I bet he picks up his player option for next year and forces a trade to the Clippers.

[og15]

[Stephen A. Smith] Kyrie Irving last season would conduct his own team practices after Steve Nash

That's pretty weird

[SK21209]

Although KD has publicly been supportive of KD, I would imagine that he and the FO are somewhat aligned here.

Yeah I find it hard to believe that the Nets FO would be taking a hard stance in contract negotiations with Kyrie without knowing that Durant supported that stance. I think Kyrie probably prefers to stay in Brooklyn, the Nets shudder at the idea of giving him a max contract and KD respects Kyrie's talent but probably feels like he can't rely on him to maximize the tail end of his prime.

I do think there's a framework out there for Kyrie to come to the Lakers, Russ + draft compensation goes to some third team and that third team sends role players/distressed assets to Brooklyn. Maybe its Brogdon/Turner or Rozier/Hayward, maybe its something else. But I think the Lakers might be the one team ready to give Kyrie a full max right now. Plus a Nets team with KD, the version of Ben Simmons we saw before he demanded out and some good role players could still be a really good team and have some flexibility to get the next guy to ask out like Beal or Lillard.

[TheNewEra]

I'm curious if a Kyrie exit leads to KD also asking out since they came as a package. But it goes to the downside of assembling superstars. Many of these guys are difficult to deal with on multiple levels and they went from 3 to now maybe 1 or 0 in short order.

It seems likely since KD wanted the Nets because of Irving . I’m not sure what’s the friendship between Simmons and Durant but even then if they are ok with each other it doesn’t change Ben Simmons noted back issues. For whatever people believe about Simmons mental issues the back injury could continue to be a major issue longterm and lowers his value.

[TheNewEra]

[Stephen A. Smith] Kyrie Irving last season would conduct his own team practices after Steve Nash

That's pretty weird

Seems like one of those things that the narrative would change about such a thing depending on the player. One could say the player is being disrespectful like SAS said or if the player is likable it’s a star player trying to build chemistry with his guys getting some extra work in to get the details right.

[lambchop]

[Stephen A. Smith] Kyrie Irving last season would conduct his own team practices after Steve Nash

A little more explanation and details would be helpful. Was it essentially a group of motivated guys staying longer to get shots up, do 1on1s and work on their games or was Kyrie really the coach that had a different set of plays? I doubt guys were really willing to do two consecutive full practices aka 4 hours in a row because of the fatigue and the wear and tear. The skillwork, 1 on 1s and shooting would make a lot of sense.

[ocelot17]

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[og15]

[Stephen A. Smith] Kyrie Irving last season would conduct his own team practices after Steve Nash

That's pretty weird

Seems like one of those things that the narrative would change about such a thing depending on the player. One could say the player is being disrespectful like SAS said or if the player is likable it’s a star player trying to build chemistry with his guys getting some extra work in to get the details right.

Very true, and it also depends on how the player does this

[Hello Brooklyn]

Only way this can work for the Nets is if they get another star back.

Would the Wizards consider Beal for Kyrie, a Philly pick and Cam Thomas?

Probably not but worth trying.

[Ursusamericanus]

Are LeBron and Kyrie on good terms?