If Kyrie Irving decided to sit out the rest of the season, if he isn’t traded, he would be forfeiting around $15 million because there is no way the Nets will continue to pay him.
That is why I have a hard time believing that if Kyrie weren’t traded, he would sit out the rest of the season.
I believe this is just a tactic to pressure the Nets to get rid of him.
Here is where the rumor is coming from that Irving will sit out.
Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving is prepared to sit out the remainder of the season if he’s not traded ahead of the NBA’s Feb. 9 deadline, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith reported Saturday on NBA Countdown.
Irving requested a trade from the Nets on Friday after the two sides failed to reach an agreement on a new deal, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Irving will be one of the top players available ahead of Thursday’s deadline, and the Nets would be smart to trade him and at least acquire something in exchange for his services as he’s set to become a free agent this summer.
If Brooklyn holds onto Irving, they risk having him walk in free agency and getting nothing in return.
Irving did not submit a list of desired destinations, according to Wojnarowski, so it’s likely that the Nets will take the best offer they receive from any team, whether that be from the Los Angeles Lakers or elsewhere.
The Purple and Gold have been most heavily linked to a deal for Irving. Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reported Friday that he expects the team to have “serious discussions” with the Nets on a deal for the point guard.
Kyrie sat out tonight’s game with alleged calf soreness, but it was just an excuse to hold him out while the Nets decide what to do.
The issue for the Nets is everyone knows he wants to be traded. You would never get equal value, but how do you ensure you get something decent?
Do you roll the dice if you are the Nets considering this might be your last chance at winning a title with Kyrie and KD together?
We will know all the answers by Thursday.
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