Report: Kyrie Irving to meet with Nets, both sides ‘motivated to move quickly’ to reach max deal
With free agency set to kick off in just under 24 hours, Kyrie Irving may have a new home.
According to a report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the six-time All-Star point guard is close to committing to the Brooklyn Nets. Irving is expected to meet with the team on Sunday, where they are “motivated to move quickly” towards a four year, $141 million max contract.
With a tumultuous second season for the Boston Celtics, Irving has been considered likely to leave for the last few months. Come May, the Nets were considered favorites to land him, at least according to Vegas.
Irving’s arrival would mean the departure of incumbent point guard D’Angelo Russell, who was the team’s first All-Star in five years last season. According to Wojnarowski, as soon as Irving commits to the Nets, they will renounce Russell’s rights and make him an unrestricted free agent.
Irving will cost a bit more than Russell — about $6 million per season — but he brings true star power back to Brooklyn. The 6-foot-3 guard has shot at least 40 percent from three each of the past three seasons and just averaged a career-high 6.9 assists per game.
What other moves might the Nets make
Landing Irving would be a major deal for the Nets, but they have their eyes set on an even bigger prize. Earlier this month, Brooklyn cleared enough salary cap space for a second max contract when they dealt Allen Crabbe and two first-round picks to the Atlanta Hawks.
The Nets’ biggest target will be Kevin Durant, even though he’ll miss all of next season with a ruptured Achilles. Since Durant is eligible for a $164 million deal over four years, the Nets would have to clear even more cap space by dealing one of Spencer Dinwiddie, Joe Harris or Taurean Prince.
Still, there’s no guarantee of Durant joining the Nets, even though he’s close with Irving. ESPN also reported that Durant is exploring teaming up with reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard.
Two other possibilities for the Nets include a pair of Philadelphia 76ers: Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris. Philly may be hesitant to re-sign both to max deals with Ben Simmons due for one soon, and the Nets and Harris reportedly have mutual interest, while Vegas gives the Nets the third-best odds to land Butler.
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