KEY POINTS
- Nets GM Sean Marks hints at the possible plight of Kyrie Irving this offseason
- Irving could still stay in Brooklyn if he exercises his player option or signs a new multiyear deal
- Marks expects players to stay committed to helping the team reach their goal
The Brooklyn Nets are expected to assess their team this offseason.
The Nets were booted out of the 2021-22 NBA Playoffs via sweep by the Boston Celtics, raising questions about what went wrong.
The campaign of the Nets is well-documented, marred by the part-time showing of Kyrie Irving.
The seven-time All-Star played only 29 regular-season games this season after he was ruled ineligible to play due to New York City’s vaccine mandate.
The top pick of the 2011 NBA Draft never got vaccinated for COVID-19, but the Nets still allowed him to return as a part-time player.
Probably aware that the move hardly helped their campaign, Nets general manager Sean Marks may have said it straight when he said that the team needs selfless players who are available to play during a press conference.
"We’re looking for guys that want to come in here, be part of something bigger than themselves, play selfless, play team basketball, and be available. That goes not only for Kyrie but for everybody here," Marks stated.
Marks also pointed out how important it is for players to be present, especially since they are trying to establish chemistry.
"Whenever you have a key part of your team that's not available and you're trying to build chemistry, you're trying to build camaraderie out on the court, that's very difficult. And then you have people coming in at certain times of the season. We made what we felt was the correct decision at that particular time to say, 'Hey, we're not going to have Kyrie around,' " the 46-year-old executive explained.
With those words, it will be interesting what lies ahead for Irving and the Nets.
The one-time NBA champion has a $36.5 million player option for next season which he could pick up, USA Today reported.
Alternatively, he could opt out and sign a five-year deal that could be worth as much as $246 million.
Nothing is set in stone, but Irving has already aired his intent to stay with the team.
"I don't really plan on going anywhere," Irving said after they were swept by Boston in the playoffs last month. "This is added motivation for our franchise to be at the top of the league for the next few years and I'm just looking forward to the summer and building with our guys here."
Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on against the Charlotte Hornets at Barclays Center on March 27, 2022 in New York City. Photo: Mike Stobe/Getty Images
