Nets double-down on Kyrie Irving amid Lakers trade rumors

While the relationship between the Brooklyn Nets organization and Kyrie Irving has had a rocky journey, it seems that both parties have done a full 180 and now are fully invested in each other.

According to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Nets are standing firm in keeping the seven-time All-Star guard. He reports that the Nets have “made clear to interested teams” that they are unwilling to move the ball-handling shot-creator.

Irving has been, “has been ‘holding constructive dialogue with the Nets’ front office throughout the offseason,” said Charania.

Shams adds:

For their part, the Nets believe they have improved the roster and have a championship-level team. The Nets traded for Royce O’Neale, signed T.J. Warren and brought back Patty Mills and Nic Claxton while expecting the full returns of three-time All-Star Simmons and Joe Harris. All-Star Kyrie Irving also opted into his $37 million player option, committed to the 2022-23 season in Brooklyn and sources with knowledge of the situation say he has been working out with teammates and holding constructive dialogue with the organization this offseason. Brooklyn has made clear to interested teams that they plan to keep the seven-time All-Star, according to sources. The Nets were without Simmons and Harris for the majority of last season, including their playoff series against Boston, but both are set to provide a major boost to the upcoming campaign.

This comes days after the Los Angeles Lakers made their future first round picks available for a trade, to which the Nets were reportedly uninterested in because they wanted win-now talent for Irving.

Irving had rough relations with the Nets front office and at first, was unable to come to an agreement for his contract extension, however, Irving decided his guaranteed money in Brooklyn was enough for him.