“Half Way Retired Every Season”: NBA Twitter in a Frenzy After Kyrie Irving Rumored to Get a Bigger Extension Than Giannis Antetokounmpo
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USA Today via Reuters
Apr 17, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) stares down Boston Celtics fans heckling from the stands before the start of the first round against the Boston Celtics for the 2022 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Kyrie Irving has now been sentenced to the gallows. Fans, media, and pundits have not spared him at all after the elimination of the Brooklyn Nets at the hands of the Celtics. He had an amazing first game, which was followed by absolutely mediocre performances on the court. His attitude has been noted as well. A sign of defeat had already come to his face after his team’s loss in Game 3.
Now, it’s contract extension time for the Point Guard. The Nets signed him in 2019 as a free agent. He signed a four-year deal worth 136.5 million, which included a $36.9 million player option for the 2022-23 season.
Opinion: This off-season, Kyrie Irving can ask for a 5-year, $248M max deal.
Is he worth it? pic.twitter.com/q5gLtjrgcN
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 27, 2022
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If he re-signs a new deal with the Nets after declining the player option, he will be eligible for a five-year, $248 million deal with the Nets if he goes that route. Fans would be flabbergasted if the Nets to do such a deal. They have already voiced their displeasure over his performances and are now saying this contract is not worth it.
Fans Reaction to Irving’s contract
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 27, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) dribbles as Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier (3) defends during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Fans have been very vocal in this. Irving cannot be signed on such a deal. To them, it’s exorbitant for someone who has not delivered in the playoffs since 2016-17. Fans have noted how he has disappeared in clutch situations for his teams since leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers. These are some of the choicest tweets highlighting that contract situation with the Nets:
Talent wise? Yes. But that requires him to be at work and do his job which don’t seem to be a priority to him lately https://t.co/vXT6wbPMiN
— Wandered to PHX (@AFKidSid) April 27, 2022
The idea of Kyrie? Yes, give me this deal in 2K where I don't have to deal with as much injury concern or the off court stuff. Add on the fact that KD will probably want him to stay, so yes, you're in essence paying for him and KD. But in a vacuum, no, he alone, isn't worth that. https://t.co/Xzo4uSVFQi
— Keep It Hoop (@keepithoopblog) April 28, 2022
No. Especially if they keep him at point. He's a 2 guard. Legit his only nba level skills are handles and shot creation. Not a leader. 0 intangibles. Guys made one big shot in his whole life. Without LeBron nobody would view him as a top 10 pg. https://t.co/f3s9xO9hwo
— Onlyhereforelon (@Onlyhere4elon1) April 28, 2022
If you only show up to your job half the time, then severely under perform, do you deserve a raise? https://t.co/PmZDsqlhCg
— Kevork (@KevorkHill) April 28, 2022
Kyrie Irving and the Nets’ options
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 26, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) walks up the court during the second half against the Miami Heat at FTX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
To be fair, its not the only option in front of the Nets office. They can try to up his player option and sign a three- or four-year extension that would begin in 2023-24, but that would cost him some money for next season. A four-year extension with Brooklyn would be worth $189.7 million.
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There have been reports of them trying to sign Irving with a four-year deal worth around $200 million that would align with Kevin Durant’s current contract. For Kyrie, there is another option, and that is to test unrestricted free agency. He could join another team on a four-year, $182.1 million contract.
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Irving’s words have also come back to bite him. His comments about not having a head coach when Steve Nash was appointed. He also commented once about him and Durant managing the franchise together with owner Joe Tsai and chairman Sean Marks.
So is Kyrie’s extension inevitable? This can only be answered by the Nets front office a few months later.
Written by:
Edited by:
Ajinkya Aswale