Nets Indicating Kyrie Irving Won’t Be Traded

August 22, 2022

While the Nets continue to explore Kevin Durant trades, it appears they are also sending the message that they intend to hang on to Kyrie Irving. At least, for now, anyway.

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, Irving has been working out with his Brooklyn teammates and discussing his impending return with the front office. He opted in to the final year of his four-year contract back in June — just a few days before Durant requested to be traded.

It is widely believed that the Lakers are the only team that has contacted the Nets about a potential Irving trade, but as we relayed, the Nets do not have an interest in a package centered around Russell Westbrook.

In any deal for Irving, the Nets would seek immediate help as part of the return.

“The Nets’ current stance, sources say, is that they are unwilling to send out Irving in a trade if the deal solely brings back future assets,” wrote Marc Stein of The Stein Line. “They apparently want win-now talent in return to part with Irving, despite all of the turmoil that has engulfed the Nets for months.”

Basically, it does not seem as if the Nets are desperate to trade Irving. They seem much more inclined to keep him, actually. Also, one recent report suggested he is planning to stay in Brooklyn next season — with or without Durant.

“I think Kyrie is invested in being a Brooklyn Net next year,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on Get Up.

Irving had a little bit of “turmoil” in contract talks with the Nets before deciding to pick up his option, Windhorst noted, and having a good showing in the final year of his deal can only help him in free agency next summer.

Irving has gained a reputation for being a bit unpredictable — which will it only hurt him when it comes to landing a new deal. So this season will be vital and offer him another chance to prove himself as a good teammate.

“From what I can gather, it appears that (Irving) and the Nets are looking forward to meeting up in training camp,” Windhorst said, adding that Brooklyn “wants to run this team back.”