Kyrie Irving would 'retire' if Nets tried to trade him?
Brooklyn Nets superstar guard and one-time NBA champion Kyrie Irving can be an enigmatic figure, particularly as it pertains to his social media use, but Irving nevertheless seemed to commit at least his immediate future to his current employer via an Instagram post shared last month:
According to Nick Wright of Fox Sports, Irving is so serious about remaining in Brooklyn that he would consider retiring as an active player if the Nets try to trade him ahead of the 2021-22 season.
Irving and company failed to win the title for 2020-21 more so because of injuries than because of any off-the-court issues involving the 29-year-old and teammates such as Kevin Durant and James Harden, and there's little reason the Nets should want to break this "big three" up ahead of the fall months.
According to Ky Carlin of Sixers Wire, the previously mentioned Wright recently suggested the Philadelphia 76ers should offer All-Star guard Ben Simmons to the Nets for Irving.
"I know this won’t happen, but as someone who has shorted the stock of the Nets, and been right, telling you right now Ben for Kyrie, if personalities weren’t a thing, basketball-wise, makes so much sense for Brooklyn, makes them an overwhelming favorite in the East," Wright said at that time. "Overwhelming and maybe overwhelming favorite overall, but that’s not happening because of the relationships."
In short, the Nets likely wouldn't receive equal value for Irving, and Irving allegedly doesn't want to go anywhere.
Training camp is approaching, but the NBA "silly season" isn't quite finished yet.
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