The Brooklyn Nets are expected to sign superstar point guard Kyrie Irving when free agency opens up on Sunday.
This is the news that Brooklyn Nets fans (most of them, at least) have been waiting to hear. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Nets expect to agree to a deal with superstar Kyrie Irving when NBA free agency opens up on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET. The contract is expected to be a max deal of four years, $141 million.
If this becomes reality, then Brooklyn would renounce its rights to restricted free agent D’Angelo Russell. This would make Russell an unrestricted free agent after just two seasons with the team. Russell, 23, was named to his first All-Star game this past season.
Once Kyrie Irving commits to a deal, Nets are expected to renounce All-Star guard D'Angelo Russell and allow him to become an unrestricted free agent, league sources tell ESPN. Russell led Nets to the playoffs this past season. There's tremendous league-wide interest in Russell. https://t.co/cJSryXSUJV
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2019
The Nets are clearly moving on from Irving, but they are trying to do right by him on the way out. According to Wojnarowski, the Nets are willing to work with Russell to get him to his desired destination, including sign-and-trade scenarios.
Irving through 67 games for the Boston Celtics last year averaged 23.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.9 assists on 48.7% shooting from the field.
Russell, on the other hand, averaged 21.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 7.0 assists on 43.4% shooting through 81 games.
Multiple teams are interested in Russell, such as the Los Angeles Lakers, who drafted him in 2015.
The Nets are also highly interested in signing both Kevin Durant and DeAndre Jordan, in hopes of forming a “Big 3” in Brooklyn. However, according to Woj and ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Durant and Kawhi Leonard have discussed playing together. The New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers appear to be the most likely suitors for a Durant-Leonard pairing.
Reporting w/ @RamonaShelburne: Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard have been discussing free agent scenarios that could include a future with them playing together. For now, there are two clear possibilities for them to sign into the same franchise: Clippers and Knicks. Story soon.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2019
Many questions are still unanswered as far as free agency is concerned. However, fans will know this week where numerous superstars will play in the coming years.
