NEW YORK ( Associated Press) — Kyrie Irving has decided to exercise a $36.9 million option to remain under contract with the Brooklyn Nets next season, two people familiar with the situation said on Monday.
People spoke to The Associated Press requesting anonymity because the Nets have not publicly confirmed the decision.
The Athletic was the first outlet to report on Irving’s decision. “Ordinary people are those who turn this world around, but those who dare to be different take us to tomorrow. I have decided to exercise the option. See you in the fall,” the newspaper quoted.
On Twitter, Irving posted a separate statement: “I know who I am,” was the message.
For now, that means staying a member of the Nets.
The seven-time All-Star averaged 27.4 points and 5.8 assists last season with the Nets, with whom he has played the last three seasons. He heads into the final season of a four-year $137 million deal with Brooklyn.
Irving had until Wednesday to inform the team of his decision. This concludes one of the novel’s elements about Irving’s future, which has been one of the biggest storylines going into free agency over the weekend.
He saw action in only 29 regular-season games last season, largely due to his decision not to get vaccinated against COVID-19, which made him ineligible to play most of Brooklyn’s home games until it took effect. Done. End of season.
The Nets entered last season thinking they had a core in Irving, Kevin Durant and James Harden. The formula didn’t go as planned; Irving was away from the team for most of the season, Harden was being traded to Philadelphia, and the Nets had to make the playoffs via play-in before being swept in the first round by Boston.
But with the return of Irving and Ben Simmons, who sat out last season and were acquired in the Harden trade, to join Durant next season, Brooklyn could quickly regain its tag as a title contender. was.
