Kyrie Irving is holding the Nets franchise hostage again. This time, it's not for a refusal to comply with local vaccine mandates, but to tease the idea of testing free agency if long-term contract talks fall apart with Brooklyn.
Shams Charania is reporting the two sides have reached an impasse and Irving's camp has listed the Lakers and Knicks as potential landing spots for the superstar point guard if he does test free agency.
Sources: Kyrie Irving, Nets are at impasse in conversations about his future in Brooklyn, clearing way for the seven-time All-Star to consider the open market. Lakers and Knicks expected to emerge among potential suitors.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 20, 2022
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Irving is chasing a supermax deal, one that could land him a starting salary of $45.2 million for 2022-23.
In three seasons in Brooklyn, Irving has only played in 103 out of 226 possible regular season contests for a multitude of reasons from personal to vaccine intelligibility, unexcused absences and injury.
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— Nets Insider (@NetsHistory) May 12, 2022
It's hard to even argue with Sean Marks and company being reticent in forking over a haul and hitch their wagon to a player who has been out of the lineup more than he's been in it.
Irving, even when he's been away from the team, has been a major distraction, leaving his teammates to answer for why he's been missing in action for large chunks of the year.
Ultimately, once the posturing from each side and battle for leverage plays out, it's more likely than not Irving remains in Brooklyn, but perhaps the Nets need to call Irving's free agent bluff by still holding firm at the negotiating table.
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