It looks like Kyrie Irving will be a Brooklyn Net again for the 2022-2023 season; Irving is opting in for his final year of his contract at 36.5 Million. This means he will stay with his running mate Kevin Durant for at least one more season. The rumors have been heavy this offseason about the Brooklyn Nets breaking everything up. Kyrie signing elsewhere, like the Lakers. There were even reports that Kyrie was going to sign with LA for 6 Million. The reports were that Kevin Durant may request a trade. Phoenix and Portland were the rumored trade destinations for Durant. It made absolutely no sense to me. Why break the tandem up before they even got to play a single game with Ben Simmons.
Now that Irving plans to opt in, Nets fans can relax; we are finally going to get to see the big 3 of Ben Simmons, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving. Imagine the offensive firepower that Brooklyn is going to have next season with Simmons running the Point, Kyrie and KD on the wings, and Seth Curry and Joe Harris ready to launch 3 pointers out of the corners. The middle of the floor will be open for Simmons to penetrate a kick, the move to the low post a a lob threat off the ball. The Nets are sure to be one of the fastest pace teams in the league next season as well, Simmons will push the pace off of all Defensive rebounds, as well as Kyrie and KD being dangerous in the open floor, and the opposing teams still having to account for Curry, and Joe Harris. It will be a nightmare for opposing teams.
Sure the Nets may still need to add another wing defender, but the addition of Simmons (given he is back to 100%) will make up for a lot of their defensive woes. The return of Joe Harris will also give them a little more size on the wing and interior defensively. Though Harris is not known for his defensive, he is another 6’7″ body to through in there. Well Nets fans you can relax for now. What seemed like what may be a nightmare offseason just got redeemed. Hopefully the Nets Management will wake up and see what kind of Elite talent Kyrie is by next off season when Kyrie will be an unrestricted free agent.
