KEY POINTS

  • The Brooklyn Nets may at least listen to offers for Kyrie Irving
  • Irving's issues this season have allegedly irked the team management
  • Irving, James Harden and Kevin Durant are expected to play better next season

Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets did not exactly have a consistent season.

Aside from that, his stint was marred by some controversies such as that maskless party and celebrated paternity leave instead of a reported COVID suspension.

At some point, something has got to give. According to NBA reporter Matt Sullivan, who appeared on the Celtics Lab podcast, management was not upset about it.

However, Sullivan claimed that Nets general manager Sean Marks would at least listen to trade offers for the seven-time NBA All-Star.

For those who may have missed it, Irving missed some time with the Nets in the regular season. That included seven games during the regular season, including a stretch from Jan. 7 to 18.

When he returned to the Nets, Irving reasoned that his leave was due to personal issues and did not elaborate.

But other incidents followed from there–something that most felt would take its toll on the patience of the Nets’ management.

Irving has one more guaranteed year with the Nets after signing a four-year $141 million deal in July 2019. He owns a player option for the 2022-23 season.

It remains to be seen if the Nets would consider trading Irving if an offer was made. But looking beyond the one-time NBA champion, there are two other stars to think about.

Kevin Durant and James Harden could be free agents by the 2021-22 season if they decline the options in their contracts.

Although there is one more season to prove that all can co-exist, Irving’s case seems to be the most interesting one.

Brooklyn Nets Kyrie Irving was fined $35,000 for violating the National Basketball Association's media access rules
Brooklyn Nets Kyrie Irving GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Sarah Stier

The Nets appeared to finish this NBA season in a big way, but all that got snuffed by the Milwaukee Bucks.

Things could be different by next season with all three stars able to blend in and know their roles.

But this is assuming that all are healthy and avoid distractions such as taking forced leaves.

Should all three be aligned, the Nets could go all the way and win a title to shrug off these murmurs attached to Irving, Durant and Harden.

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