NBA: Brooklyn Nets Kyrie Irving Out, GM Still Committed ‘Long Term’

The Brooklyn Nets pulled some major roster changes in the offseason this year. They brought in two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant and former NBA champion Kyrie Irving to lead their team in the long term. The Nets haven’t reached deep playoff success in years and the addition of the two stars would be their way to contend for a title.

But the Nets knew they would have to wait as Durant recovers from his Achilles tear. The expectations were while Durant sits the year out, Irving would lead the team for this season – a possible way to build more chemistry on the court. But Irving’s bout with injuries has plagued the team throughout his stint, seeing minimal time.

To add matters worse, Irving will undergo arthroscopic surgery for his shoulder. This ends the year for the former Blue Devil.

While this takes a heavy blow to the organization, Nets General Manager Sean Marks is not that taken aback by the news. Per New York Post’s Brian Lewis, he tweeted that Marks and the entire Nets organization are looking at the long term in the next two years. He added that Irving would be back for the team’s summer workouts.

Irving has been the center of attention for whatever team he steps on. He was a controversial figure for the young Boston Celtics during his stay with them. Aside from locker room drama that ensued, he also went public by promising to re-sign with the Celtics. That, unfortunately, did not happen as he’s now in a new team with the Nets.

Irving has shown up to only 20 games this season. In those 20 games, he averaged 27.4 points and 6.4 assists per game. But his time off the court was able to highlight the other Nets players stepping up to the challenge. Spencer Dinwiddie is putting up big numbers this season with averages of 21.1 points and 6.6 assists per game.

The NBA will have to wait to see the full potential of the Nets next season with KD and Kyrie healthy sharing the court together.