Kyrie Irving opting in with Nets

Kyrie Irving didn’t get the long-term max offer he wanted from the Nets. He didn’t get desired outside interest, either, the Lakers – with no cap space and no trade packages that appealed to Brooklyn – his only other suitor.

So, Irving is exercising his $36,934,550 player option with Brooklyn.

Shams Charania of The Athletic:

Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving is opting into his $37 million player option for the 2022-23 season, @TheAthletic @Stadium has learned. Irving is bypassing on multiple opt-in and trade scenarios to fulfill his four-year commitment to the Nets and Kevin Durant.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 27, 2022

Kyrie Irving: “Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow. I’ve made my decision to opt in. See you in the fall. A11even.” https://t.co/rpiS8YkSZI

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 27, 2022

The framing from Charania and Irving’s wording – “See you in the fall” – suggest this isn’t part of an opt-in-and-trade.

Irving will be on an expiring contract. The Nets can trade him if they want. It’s up to them. Irving loses all tangible leverage with this move.

Intangibly… Brooklyn’s crisis continues. The relationship between Irving and the franchise is strained. Difficult in better times, Irving could be a nightmare as he moves toward 2023 unrestricted free agency. After James Harden forced a trade, this could be the latest domino that leads to Irving and Kevin Durant exiting, too. Durant is reportedly frustrated with the Nets over their handling of Irving.

Or maybe having no long-term contract security and his stock bottoming out as much as it can for a player so young and talented will bring out the best in Irving. Who knows with him? Irving, 30,