NBA Rumors: "Strong" Indications Emerging On Kyrie Irving's Future

Despite the strong comments coming from general manager Sean Marks after the season ('we want players who are "available"'), all signs now are pointing to Kyrie Irving being back with the Brooklyn Nets this coming season. 

Brian Lewis of the New York Post reports that "all indications strongly point toward a reunion between Brooklyn and its All-Star point guard." 

Irving has a $36.5M option for next season that he has until June 29th to decide on. But Lewis says that both Nets and league sources tell him that an "extension" is more likely. 

This is a huge change from the reading of the tea leaves last month that they would not be offering an extension to Irving. “We’re looking for guys that want to come in here and be part of something bigger than themselves, play selfless, play team basketball, and be available,” is what GM Marks said then, in a not-so-veiled reference to Irving.

Kyrie has missed 123 of the 226 regular-season games the Nets have played since he arrived in Brooklyn. Some for 'mental breaks', many more for anti-vaccination choices. He simply hasn't been there for his teammates on too many occasions. 

But the Lewis report says that Irving has a close relationship with Nets team owners Joe and Clara Wu Tsai, in addition, of course, to Kevin Durant.

How a contract would be structured—i.e. with games-played incentives—remains to be seen.

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