Kyrie Irving is opting in to his $36.5 million possibility with the Brooklyn Nets for subsequent season, he informed The Athletic on Monday.
“Regular folks preserve the world going, however those that dare to be totally different lead us into tomorrow,” Irving informed The Athletic. “I’ve made my determination to decide in. See you within the fall. A11even.”
Irving had created a listing of groups he would have favored the Nets to contemplate working with on a sign-and-trade deal in the event that they could not agree on phrases for him to remain in Brooklyn, however the Los Angeles Lakers had been the one crew identified to have an interest, sources informed ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
With out the power to discover a sign-and-trade deal, Irving plans to train his participant possibility, sources confirmed. He has till 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday to file to paperwork to opt-in.
Irving is now not eligible for a sign-and-trade. The Nets might nonetheless work to commerce him as an expiring contract, however Irving would haven’t any formal voice in a possible touchdown spot. He has till June 30 of subsequent yr to work out an extension with the Nets earlier than changing into an unrestricted free agent.
Irving, 30, averaged 27.4 factors, 5.8 assists and 4.4 rebounds final season however solely performed in 29 regular-season video games. By deciding to not get vaccinated towards COVID-19, Irving was ineligible to play in New York Metropolis due to a metropolis vaccination mandate for workers.
When he did play, Irving reminded everybody simply how proficient he nonetheless is, as evidenced by a stretch in March and April when he scored at the very least 40 factors in 4 video games, together with 60 throughout a March 15 win over the Orlando Magic.
There have been often massive gaps in between when he might play within the schedule, till New York Metropolis mayor Eric Adams reversed course in late March and allowed a vaccination exemption for athletes and performers. Irving performed in all 4 video games of the Nets’ first-round loss to the Celtics within the playoffs.
A seven-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA choice, Irving has averaged 27.1 factors and 6 assists whereas taking pictures 49% from the sphere and 40.6% from 3 over the previous three seasons. However attributable to a wide range of accidents and different points off the ground, he has performed in simply 103 regular-season video games over that span.
ESPN’s Nick Friedell contributed to this report.