NBA News: Uncertainty Hovers Over Brooklyn Nets After Playoff Exit

The Brooklyn Nets, one of the teams tipped to win it all this 2021-22 NBA season, were officially sent on vacation Monday after they were swept by Eastern Conference rival Boston Celtics.

The Celtics overcame a 39-point effort by Kevin Durant, someone who has been struggling to find his form in the playoffs. The two-time NBA champion also finished with five assists and three rebounds.

Irving backed up Durant with 20 points, five rebounds and five assists. But the combined efforts of the two Nets stars were not enough against a determined Boston Celtics quintet.

"No regrets. S--t happens," Durant was quoted as saying by Bleacher Report after Brooklyn's 116-112 loss in Game 4. "No crying over spilled milk. It's how we can progress and get better from here."

Jayson Tatum poured in a game-high 29 points for the Celtics, combining with Marcus Smart to advance to the next round. Boston will face the winner of the Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls series. The Bucks lead the series, 3-1.

As for the Nets, head coach Steve Nash will have to figure out what went wrong in their campaign. There were a lot of factors, including the part-time role of Irving this NBA season.

Irving holds a player option worth $36.9 million this summer. It remains to be seen if he will stay on with the Nets despite rumors of a potential move to another team.

Should he leave the Nets, Irving could join another team on a four-year deal where he would earn $182.1 million. However, he also could sign a new contract with the Nets and get more money.

Brooklyn could offer the seven-time All-Star a four-year deal worth $189.7 million that would start this 2022-23 season, Sporting News reported.

As for Durant, the 12-time All-Star signed a $198 million four-year contract extension with the Nets in August 2021. Hence, the success of the Nets moving forward may depend on whoever would be retained.

There are several names to mention. Among the unrestricted free agents include LaMarcus Aldridge, Bruce Brown, Nic Claxton, Goran Dragic, Andre Drummond, David Duke Jr. and Blake Griffin.

Aside from Irving, Patty Mills also has a player option worth $6.2 million to stay on with the Nets.

There is also the case of Ben Simmons. According to his agent, Rich Paul, they will sit down with Nets general manager Sean Marks to discuss the Australian cager’s future, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported.

The 6-foot-11 cager did not play a single game this 2021-22 season.

Hence, Brooklyn will be in for some changes in the offseason as it assesses its 2022-23 performance.