Kyrie Irving, Nets Came Close To Incentive-Based Deal Before Talks Stalled

There was a lot of reported posturing, but in the end, Kyrie Irving and the Nets found the only common ground they needed.

As we relayed, Irving is picking up the $36.5 million option on his contract and returning to Brooklyn, where he will again team with Kevin Durant, and presumably, Ben Simmons.

All of it came after Irving and the Nets held “good faith negotiations,” according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. But then the talks stalled, leading to a multitude of rumors and big dreams for the Lakers.

Irving’s negotiations were handled by Shetellia Riley Irving, and the sides initially discussed a deal that included some incentives, per Charania.

One of the options was a two-year maximum extension and per Charania, it included incentives based on games played. Another conversation involved a four-year max with two guaranteed seasons and triggers for the third and fourth years, again based on games played.

“Irving showed a willingness to accept an incentive based deal before countering with a short-term contract extension that protected both sides with a player option,” RealGM wrote, via Charania. “The Nets declined to accept that offer and Irving exercised his opt-in for 22-23 at $36.5 million.”

The sides came close to an agreement last week, before talks came to an halt.

Irving, 30, averaged  27.4 points, 5.8 assists and 4.4 rebounds in 29 games this past season. He missed multiple games because of the New York City vaccine mandate, which was eventually lifted in time for the postseason. The Nets also opted to not allow him to play in road games to start the year — but then reconsidered after the team was hit with a COVID-19 outbreak.

Brooklyn finished 44-38 and advanced to the playoffs via the play-in tournament, but got swept in the first round by the eventual Eastern Conference champion Celtics.