For the past several days, there have been rumors the Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving may force his way to the Los Angeles Lakers, either via trade or by possibly joining the team by signing for the taxpayer mid-level exception.
He had until Wednesday, June 29, to decide whether to opt into the final year of his contract, a decision that would likely dictate whether he would stay or go.
On Monday, Irving made his decision: He will opt into next season.
Via ESPN:
“Kyrie Irving is opting into his $36.5 million option with the Brooklyn Nets for next season, he told The Athletic on Monday.
“‘Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow,’ Irving told The Athletic. ‘I’ve made my decision to opt in. See you in the fall. A11even.'”
Opting into next season has dramatically lowered the chances of Irving joining the Lakers, according to ESPN.
“Irving is now no longer eligible for a sign-and-trade. The Nets could still work to trade him as an expiring contract, but Irving would have no formal voice in a potential landing spot.”
But according to Bobby Marks, the possibility is still there for Irving to be dealt to the Purple and Gold this summer.
He is eligible to sign an extension up until June 30 with Brooklyn or enter the 2023 as an unrestricted free agent.
By opting-in, Irving is eligible to be traded to any of the 29 teams and the hard cap restriction does not apply. https://t.co/zTPl8jaezo
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 27, 2022
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