NBA

Cold Shoulder: Kevin Durant and Nets haven’t spoken amid Kyrie Conundrum

Kevin Durant could be leaving the Nets
Kevin Durant (left) with Kyrie Irving.
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

According to reports, the Brooklyn Nets and Kevin Durant have not spoken to each other since between swept by the Boston Celtics weeks ago in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

Over the last three years, there has been little debate over which team had assembled the biggest stars on one roster.

Kevin Durant NBA Play-In Tournament
Apr 8, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) controls the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (3) during the second quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Brooklyn Nets have had future Hall-of-Famers, Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving on a roster that has won a grand total of one playoff series since Durant signed with the team in 2019.

James Harden was shipped off for the injured Ben Simmons, Kyrie Irving has played an average of 34 games a season over the last three years, and Kevin Durant is seemingly left to pick up the pieces.

The forward signed a four-year $198 million extension with the Nets back in 2021. Irving on the other hand is entering the final year of his deal with reports coming out saying that his future in Brooklyn is in doubt after multiple seasons of the All-NBA talent missing games for injuries, unvaccinated status, and multiple “pauses“.

Irving’s future in Brooklyn could affect Durant’s status as well according to reports. If Irving were to leave Brooklyn, it could lead to a domino effect in which Durant “becomes frustrated with the organization’s ability to put championship pieces around him.”

With KD’s contract already running until 2026 however, the pressure would be on Ben Simmons to quickly develop into a #2 scorer and playmaker. Brooklyn would not have the money to offer a max contract to other superstars that could be looking at joining on.

Irving’s deal absolutely could affect the way Durant looks at his future in Brooklyn. With the lack of communication going on though between the former MVP and the Nets, questions and concerns will only grow larger as the weeks go on.

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