NBA Twitter is freaking out over the news that Kyrie Irving might leave theĀ Brooklyn Nets.
The ball is in Kyrie Irvingās court this offseason, as he could choose to either opt in to his player option for the 2022-23 NBA season or test unrestrictedĀ NBA free agency.
Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic reported on Monday āconversations about Irvingās future have gone stagnant between him and the (Brooklyn) Nets. An impasse currently exists among the partiesĀ that clears the way for the seven-time All-Star to consider the open marketplace.ā Irving has spent the three seasons playing for his hometown Brooklyn Nets.
Irving has until June 29 to figure out if he will exercise his player option worth $36.9 million or not.
NBA Twitter loses its mind over Kyrie Irving potentially opting out of his contract
The entire Irving era of Nets basketball has been nothing short of a tire fire. Even if he was able to convince Kevin Durant to leave basketball paradise in the Bay Area for a team that has never won anything, their marriage has been rocky from the start. Factor in James Harden quitting on the franchise and Ben Simmons having yet to play a single game for them, what a complete disaster.
Brooklyn Nets fans waking up seeing the 7/11 era with Kyrie and Kev may be over already pic.twitter.com/RKYwKJZxlA
ā Bryce Hayes (@nxtprodigy) June 20, 2022
Brooklyn Nets basketball pic.twitter.com/7QVdTYGWoX
ā John Buhler (@buhler118) June 20, 2022
If the Lakers or Clippers want to acquire Kyrie Irving, they need him to opt in and get traded there vs opting out and going there via sign-and-trade.
ā Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 20, 2022
It's not impossible, but it's pretty close for either the Lakers or Clippers to acquire Irving via S&T due to hard cap reasons.
So far the Knicks are attached to Jalen Brunson, Kyrie Irving, Jaden Ivey, Donovan Mitchell, Deandre Ayton, Carmelo Anthony, Malcolm Brogdon, Myles Turner.
ā Trav B Ryan š¹š¹šš¹āļøš½ (@travbryanmusic) June 20, 2022
The Knicks will actually get: Terrence Ross, Ty Ty Washington and a new MSG janitor.
Charania has two teams linked to Irving should he enter the open market: The Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks because, of course, they are. Irving will not have to move if he switched allegiances in the Five Boroughs. As far as the Lakers are concerned, they have to do something because LeBron James is not getting any younger and Anthony Davis clearly has zero dog in him.
Where can you go to dribble as much as you want, take as many shots as you want, and have your theories embraced by the fan base and the Governor @KyrieIrving? Orlando.
ā Brody Logan (@BrodyLogan) June 20, 2022
Kyrie Irving showing up to the Nets practice facility today: pic.twitter.com/ehD75WnVxa
ā Caesars Sportsbook & Casino (@CaesarsSports) June 20, 2022
"Who would trade for Russell Westbrook?"
ā Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) June 20, 2022
"Who would trade for Kyrie Irving?"
The Lakers and Nets pic.twitter.com/VyO0zZSQJ1
Kyrie Irving isnāt worth the migraine.
ā Chris Walder (@WalderSports) June 20, 2022
It is only fitting Irving tweeted out on Monday morning because he loves to watch the world burn.
ā Chief HĆ©lĆ š¤š¾ (@KyrieIrving) June 20, 2022
Ultimately, Irving is gearing up for his third NBA divorce in his otherwise hall-of-fame career. Things ended poorly for him with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is already persona non grata in Boston. Now he is about to burn another bridge with the team he grew up rooting for as a kid. This is why he would be absolutely perfect playing for either the Lakers or the Knicks next NBA season.
Look for Irving to potentially steal all the headlines by the time 2022 NBA free agency gets here.