Kyrie Irving had a dramatic NBA season this year. From him refusing to get the vaccine to the Nets, not allowing him to practice with the team. Then, after missing almost half a season, he finally got to play with his team for ?on-road? games to getting swept by Boston Celtics in the first round of playoffs.

Irving and the Nets partnership hasn’t really worked out till now. Amid all this, his contract expires this season. There have been rumors about how the Nets management is unwilling to offer him a max extension contract. Reacting to this, ESPN?s renowned analyst, Stephen A. Smith, called it an “insane decision” to offer him a long-term contract.?

While talking on his show ?Stephen A?s World?, Smith discussed that while Kyrie does deserve a good-paying contract but it should be done one season at a time. He said ?Kyrie Irving should get his money, he deserves it. He is box-office.?

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He added, ?Make him the highest-paid player in the NBA if you want to, so long as you do it for one season. One season at a time because giving Kyrie Irving, of all people, a long-term deal is pure, outright insanity… The definition of insanity is making a long-term commitment to Kyrie Irving.”

While Smith?s word might hurt a few fans, Lakers legend Shaquille O?Neal feels the same. He shared the video of the same on his Instagram story.?

How right is Stephen A. Smith?

Stephen A. Smith?s words were surely strong, but were they completely wrong? There is no clear answer to this. It is not just vaccine mandates that have proven Kyrie to be undependable. In the past, he has pulled out of games without giving notice and had been absent for weeks. Despite these reasons, his contributions to the team can?t be undermined.?

He is undoubtedly among the best players in the league. No one would deny that if it wasn’t for Irving, Nets would have failed to even qualify for playoffs. Along with this, the decision of Kevin Durant to continue with the team might also be in question.??

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Stephen A. Smith and Shaquille O?Neal both believe that giving a max-extension contract to Irving would be stupid. Yet the decision is in the management?s hands. Let?s see how it folds out.?