The Kyrie Irving–Brooklyn Nets saga continues.
Ever since rumors surfaced of Irving wanting to ditch Brooklyn and head to another team, people have wondered how serious the star guard was about finding a new squad to play with.
We are getting close to the point where Irving will have to put up or shut up.
In other words, he will soon show the world just how serious he is about leaving the Nets – and it could really cost him.
If Irving declines his $36M player option, he would be eligible to sign with the Lakers for the $6M exception. Deadline is Wednesday to decide on option.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 27, 2022
Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Los Angeles Lakers are the only team interested in pursing a sign-and-trade deal for Irving.
If that deal doesn’t come together (it most likely won’t), Irving would have a tough choice to make: if he really wants to suit up for LA, he would have to decline his $36 million player option with the Nets and agree to play with the Lakers for a $6 million exception.
So, he would be losing a lot of money to play for a team that didn’t even make the playoffs last season.
How is this deal possibly worth it for Irving?
Irving In The Wind
If he decides to forgo a sign-and-trade, decline his option, and sign with LA, Irving would be showing the world just how unhappy he was with Brooklyn, and how much faith he has in the Lakers turning things around.
Some people think he won’t make that move because the amount of money he’d forfeit is just too much.
However, remember that Irving lost millions of dollars – and a huge shoe deal – because he wouldn’t change his stance about getting the COVID vaccine.
This is one player who has proven he is willing to lose tons of money to do what he thinks is right.
NEXT: NBA Insider Shares A Monumental Kyrie Irving Update