Here’s a better question: how likely is it that Durant retires with the Nets? His loyalty was always with Irving more than with the organization. According to comments made by ESPN’s Nick Friedell on SportsCenter, Durant and Irving aren’t as close as they used to be. “At every turn publicly, [Kevin Durant] has been there to support [Kyrie Irving], to say we need Kyrie, to say Kyrie can win a title with me here in Brooklyn. But I can tell you, I’ve been talking to people in the organization the last couple of weeks, when they finally sit down and talk to Kevin throughout the summer, they are trying to figure out if Kevin saw what everybody else saw. … The reason that whole season got sidetracked was because they couldn’t count on Kyrie, and they didn’t know if he was going to be out there. And the issue with Kevin is, he wants to win badly, he wants to be loyal to his friend. But I’ve been told that relationship, while very close, isn’t always as close as it appears to be.”
Source: Ricky O’Donnell @ SB Nation
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Eric Pincus @EricPincus
Latest @BleacherReport A 3-Team Kyrie Irving Trade Between Lakers-Nets-Thunder Could Make Everyone Happy – I mean, this is the internet, no single thing is going to make everyone happy. Nonetheless, I dug into why it could add up bleacherreport.com/articles/10039… – 1:09 AM
Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
What’s the latest on Kyrie Irving’s future? @Michael Scotto is discussing that now: twitter.com/i/spaces/1RDGl… – 11:08 PM
David Hardisty @clutchfans
Said @Kendrick Perkins: “It’s not going to be a ‘might’ that Kevin Durant ‘might’ want out. He’s GOING to want out if the Brooklyn Nets don’t offer Kyrie that long-term extension.” – 9:54 PM
Zach Lowe @ZachLowe_NBA
ICYMI: Lowe Post podcast: Steve Kerr goes behind the scenes on GSW’s title run, then @Jonathan Givony on all things draft/trade rumors/Kyrie/free agency, more:
Spotify: spoti.fi/3O99jdO
Apple: apple.co/3biyGv5 – 9:22 PM
Bill Oram @billoram
In which I say — through gritted teeth — that the Lakers should pursue Kyrie Irving if he’s really available, but only because they’ve backed themselves in such a corner they can’t afford to ask themselves the most important questions. theathletic.com/3379101/2022/0… – 8:27 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Things Kyrie needs to do to join the Lakers:
— Leave his hometown
— Leave his best friend
— Leave $30 million on the table
If LeBron…