This offseason the Brooklyn Nets had the opportunity to extend Kyrie Irving for many more years with the franchise and ultimately decided not to.
When they failed to do so, Irving opted in to one final year with the organization – setting himself up for free agency next year.
This week, Ric Bucher spoke on his podcast about what conversations were like between Irving and the Nets. Specifically, he revealed what the 30-year-old asked for.
The details were illuminating.
“Joe Tsai has already shown he’s willing to play hardball with Kyrie by taking a max extension off the table almost immediately,” Bucher said.
“Now, part of that may be Kyrie’ doing. I’m told he wanted his new contract to guarantee he wouldn’t have to play more than 60 games in a season and would not have to play any back the backs which he apparently referred to as inhumane.”
Make of that what you will.
Obviously a lot of that sounds kooky, but Irving has always been a guy who marched to the beat of his own drum. And while never wanting to play more than 60 games in a year is insane, it’s worth remembering that Irving hasn’t even played in 50 percent of his career games as a member of the Nets.
The Nets are clearly looking to shed Irving. By all accounts, the Los Angeles Lakers really want to acquire him – but one major roadblock has impeded the process up to this point.
This week, the Lakers’ latest trade offer to Brooklyn for Irving came out. Whether this one will be enough or not remains to be seen.
Kevin Durant’s role in all this is also very much up in the air.
— Game 7 (@game7__) August 11, 2022
One way or another, this is shaping up to be an interesting next few months in Brooklyn.
What will happen to Irving when it’s all said and done?
Time will tell.
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Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
