Kyrie Irving rumors: Star noncommittal to Nets; Lakers reportedly only team exploring sign-and-trade options

Irving allegedly asked for and was granted permission to speak with other teams about potential sign-and-trade deals.

Following recent news that the Brooklyn Nets and Kyrie Irving weren't close to reaching a new contract agreement, the Brooklyn Nets-Kyrie Irving narrative has taken a new turn. According to the New York Daily News, the Nets have reportedly permitted Irving to speak with other teams about sign-and-trade deals that would put an end to his tenure in Brooklyn because negotiations on a new contract have come to a standstill.

From the New York Daily News

Irving's camp has asked and been granted permission from the Nets to engage with other clubs about sign-and-trade packages, according to several sources familiar with the issue, even though superstar player Kevin Durant and Nets GM Sean Marks have not yet spoken this offseason.

Given Irving's history of injuries, the Nets have been hesitant to provide him a long contract. In his debut season with Brooklyn, he missed all but 20 games due to a shoulder ailment. The next season, he played just 54 games due to personal absences, which resulted in him being hurt and missing the Nets' final three games against the Bucks in the second round.

He only participated in 29 games this season due to his refusal to receive the COVID-19 immunization, which forced him to play the majority of the regular season only on the road. According to the Daily News, Brooklyn isn't convinced that Irving would make a commitment to make sure he can play in every game, and it appears like this partnership is about to end.

While there is still time for a trade package to be put together, Irving's non-response to the question of whether he still wants to play for the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night at the BET Awards doesn't exactly inspire confidence. 

We asked Kyrie if he still wanted to be a Brooklyn Net 👀 pic.twitter.com/QYYDajosJW

— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) June 27, 2022

The Lakers, Clippers, Knicks, Heat, 76ers, and Mavericks are among Irving's top picks for sign-and-trade deals to play elsewhere. Any of those clubs that are over the cap this summer would find it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to sign Irving outright, but there are sign-and-trade options. The Mavericks and Knicks are now in a tug-of-war for Jalen Brunson, and if the Mavericks win, the Knicks will likely look at Pacers point guard Malcolm Brogdon. So it seems unlikely that Irving will be considered by either of those two teams.

Actually, Adrian Wojnarowski claims that only the Lakers are genuinely considering Irving and are the only team looking into sign-and-trade options. To put a stop to what was a failed experiment last season, the Lakers might try to flip Russell Westbrook in the transaction. According to Wojnarowski, the Nets reportedly have no interest in any trade deal the Lakers might put together. It makes sense given that pairing Durant with Westbrook and Ben Simmons doesn't seem like a winning formula for the Nets.

Speaking of Durant, it's not exactly encouraging that the Nets haven't gotten in touch with their top player since the end of the season. According to recent statements made by Durant, Irving's choice is a personal one that will affect his ability to support himself.

That might be the case, but the Daily News claims that Durant might ask for a trade if Brooklyn is unable to put together a strong roster around him. The All-Star forward just agreed to a four-year, $198 million agreement, and when healthy, he is still performing at the pinnacle of his abilities. If that were to occur, a trade package to acquire Durant would unquestionably be the largest haul in recent memory. The worst-case scenario for a Nets club that had championship hopes the day Irving and Durant decided to play in Brooklyn is that there would be an abundance of teams eager to bring K.D. to their city.