THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
June 30, 2022 - July 6, 2022 • 40
Sports Kyrie Irving chooses his best option and returns to the Nets By VINCENT DAVIS Special to the AmNews The Brooklyn Nets and Kyrie Irving will move off the tabloid headlines for now with Irving’s decision earlier this week to opt into his 2022-23, $36.9 million dollar contract with the franchise. “Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow,” stated Irving according to a report by The Athletic’s Shams Charania. “I’ve made my decision to opt in. See you in the fall,” Irving informed followers of the NBA. One of the league’s most prolific scorers, Irving had presented the Nets with a list of teams to which he would accept a trade if the two sides could not come to an agreement. But after the Los Angeles Lakers reportedly were
the only team that was a possible destination, the 30-year-old seven-time All-Star made the best choice by staying with the Nets for the time being. If he had decided to opt out of his 2022-23 contract, Irving would have become an unrestricted free agent. But there were only a handful of teams with the salary cap space to offer him a contract comparable to what he will be making next season. Also, Irving’s history of stepping away from the Nets for personal reasons and missing most of last season as he remains unvaccinated, gave Brooklyn and AM NEWS other teams valid reasons for not 04/07/22 wanting to sign him to0 a long74470 term deal. Hopes were high for the Nets and their fan base in the summer of 2019 when team general manager Sean Marks announced
the free-agent signings of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. They were expected to lead the franchise to a championship as Irving previously did with the Cleveland Cavaliers (one title) and Durant did with the Golden State Warriors (two rings). Thus far they have come up empty. With Irving and Ben Simmons, whom the team acquired in a trade for James Harden last season, healthy and engaged for a full season in a lineup with Durant, the Nets are as talented as any team in the league. Simmons did not suit up for the Nets 01154 due to a back injury AM andNEWS dealing with mental health issues. 04/07/22 7 22784 The Nets were swept 4-0 in the first round of the playoffs this past season by the eventual Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics.
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After weeks of rumors and negotiations, Nets GM Sean Marks and guard Kyrie Irving both had a win after Irving exercised his 2022-23 contract option with the team (Photo credit: Bill Moore)
The Knicks take a calculated risk in free agent targets AM NEWS 04/14/22
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AM NEWS 06/09/22 04/14/22 0 7 74470 22784 By JAIME C. HARRIS and the optimistic feelings are mutual. AmNews Sports Editor Several news outlets have put Brunson’s anticipated deal at four years and $100 milAlthough NBA teams and free agents can lion. Given their reactions on social media begin negotiating at 6 p.m. today, one would platforms, it is somewhat gut-wrenching be naive to believe that discussions haven’t for many Knicks fans to accept their team’s already begun through back channels. seeming desperation to sign a player who AM NEWS AM NEWS 01174hasn’t had All-Star consideration If the letter of the rule regarding free in his AM NEWS agency was being adhered to, then the four years in the league or been viewed 04/21/22 06/16/22as 04/21/22 0 be intently and strategi7 Knicks would not a top 10 player at his position. In fact, Luka 74470 22784 cally clearing salary cap space, uncertain Doncic was the Mavericks’ primary ball that a player or players they’re targeting handler for the past three seasons. will sign with them when contracts can However unreasonable fans may view the become official on July 6. Knicks’ coveting of Brunson, evidently, their Beginning in 2008, under the direction of key decision makers, headed by team presthen general manager Donnie Walsh, the ident Leon Rose, see him as a critical piece to them being competitive for a playoff AM Knicks NEWSbegan the purging of big contracts AM NEWS 01184spot and not just the play-in tournament. from their roster and achieved the objecAM NEWS tive of having cap space by the summer of The counter argument is that Brunson, 04/28/22 06/23/22 at 0 max players. Their7hearts 25, 04/28/22 2010 to sign two the 2018 National College Player of the 74470 22784 were rightly desirous of LeBron James, the Year and two-time NCAA champion at Vilgem of the free agency class. Instead, they lanova, is just beginning his prime playsettled for Amar’e Stoudemire. ing years, and should provide stability and The rest is history. steady production at the point. Alleviating Fast forward and the Knicks traded Kemba much of the playmaking responsibilities Walker to the Detroit Pistons last week, and in setting up teammates that fell on Julius Randle and R.J. Barrett last season, a skill AM Nerlens NEWS Noel and Alec Burks to the Pistons AM NEWS 01194 this week to once again clear cap space to thatAM is not among their strengths. NEWS Free agent center Mitchell Robinson, who 05/05/22 06/30/22 sign free agents. Brunson 05/05/22 had an impressive postseason 0 There are no transforma7 was drafted by the Knicks with the 36th pick 74470 22784in this free with the Dallas Mavericks, averaging 21.6 tive players like James available in 2018, is expected to re-sign and remain agency cycle, but it is apparent the Knicks points, 3.7 assists and 4.6 rebounds for a with the Knicks (Photo credit: Bill Moore) have targeted point guard Jalen Brunson team that lost to the Golden State Warriors
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