NBA Notes: Nets, Kyrie Irving, Suns, Jazz

Nets

Kyrie Irving said that the Nets haven’t forgotten getting swept by the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs, and can use it as a source of determination this season.

“We got 4-0’d… It was meant to happen like that,” Irving said, via Nets Kingdom. “Motivation bro. We needed that humbling experience, especially going against the Celtics. We’re gonna see them again.”

After a turbulent offseason of Kevin Durant making a trade demand, then later rescinded that demand, the band is back together in Brooklyn. It will be interesting to see if Irving, Durant, Ben Simmons and the rest can finally put it all together and live up to expectations.

Suns

With the Suns getting ready for a bounce-back season, and Deandre Ayton back in the fold, there still may be a move to be made.

Per ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Phoenix may be exploring deals centered on small forward Jae Crowder.

“Jae Crowder is a player who is available on the market right now,” Windhorst said, via NBA Central.

The Suns have been linked to Bojan Bogdanovic, the veteran Jazz swingman who is also supposedly available, as we relayed here and here. It has not been determined if Crowder’s name has been mentioned as part of a potential Bogdanovic trade.

Jazz

Former Timberwolves forward Jarred Vanderbilt is looking forward to a fresh start with the Jazz, he told Spencer Davies of Basketball News.

“For sure. Any time you go to a new team, it’s a fresh start, it’s change and it’s an opportunity to continue to grow,” Vanderbilt said, via Davies. “That’s what I’m looking forward to.”

Vanderbilt was among the many pieces returned as part of the Rudy Gobert trade with the Timberwolves. Since then, the Jazz have added the likes of Collin Sexton and Lauri Markkanen (Cavaliers) and Talen Horton-Tucker (Lakers).

They all will be playing for first-time NBA head coach Will Hardy, formerly an assistant with the Celtics.

“It’s an opportunity for me and them as well just to grow individually, as a team and as an organization,” Vanderbilt said, via Davis. “It’s a fresh start for everybody — new staff, new coaches, a lot of new players. So right now, we’re just getting to know each other.”