At his season-ending press conference on Wednesday, Nets general manager Sean Marks was noncommittal when asked about Kyrie Irving‘s future with the team, according to a report from The Athletic.
As Marks noted, he predicted last year that the Nets would come to terms on extensions for Irving and James Harden prior to the season and neither came to pass, so he wants to avoid making that mistake again.
“That’s something that we’ve been discussing and we’ll continue to debrief on and discuss throughout this offseason … we haven’t had any of those discussions yet,” Marks said. “We’re looking for guys that want to come in here and be part of something bigger than themselves, play selfless, play team basketball, and be available. That goes not only for Kyrie but everybody here.”
Irving holds a player option for $36.9MM next season, and if he opts out, he’d become an unrestricted free agent and eligible for a five-year, $247.7MM maximum-salary contract if he re-signs with Brooklyn. He’s also eligible for a four-year, $185MM extension if he picks up the option.
Irving missed most of the season due to his vaccination status and it clearly had a negative impact on the team, with Marks saying “it’s obvious” that Irving’s absence was a factor in how the season played out. Brooklyn entered the season as championship favorites but finished with just a 44-38 record and needed to win a game in the play-in tournament to advance as the No. 7 seed in the East before being swept in the first round of the playoffs by Boston.
Brooklyn has up to 10 players who could become free agents this summer, so both the players and the organization have important decisions to make.
“What drives them? Do they want to be part of this? Are they motivated by something that maybe is not good for the whole team?” Marks said, per Brian Mahoney of The Associated Press. “So those are questions we’re going to have to ask ourselves and also the players that we want to bring back in here.”
Here’s more from Marks’ press conference:
- According to The Athletic, Ben Simmons had an MRI after his back soreness returned prior to Game 4 against Boston and it revealed that his herniation had gotten worse, which necessitated the surgery. Marks said Simmons is feeling better and the team plans to have him around as much as possible. “We’re gonna be doing everything we possibly can to get him around our group. That is the key,” Marks said. “He needs to be in here, smell the gym again, around his friends, around his family and participate in this and let us help him build the culture together, build up together, build him back up because as (coach) Steve (Nash) alluded to, he is a big, big part of this.”
- Irving said after the season ended that he planned to stay with Brooklyn, but he raised eyebrows by stating that he’d work with Kevin Durant, owner Joe Tsai, and Marks to manage the team. “When I say I’m here with Kev, I think that really entails us managing this franchise together alongside Joe and Sean,” he said.
- However, Marks clearly wanted to put an end to that notion. He said that he is the Nets’ primary decision-maker and that he hadn’t spoken to Durant about the state of the team, the season, or about Irving’s future with the club, as Mahoney relays. “But at the end of the day, I mean more often than not, it’s myself making those decisions,” Marks said, “and it’s not me going to Kevin and saying: ‘Do you want this person? Do you want that person? Do you want that guy?’ I don’t think that’s fair to place that on Kevin. Now, is he surprised by anything? Absolutely not, because he will know ahead of time what we’re doing, what we plan on doing with, to be honest with the entire roster.”
“smell the gym again”
… Breathe that oxygen-depleted gym air…
Actually nba teams probably have giant airy cement block castles to train in.
You can feel Marks’ anger through screen. At least I can. Word was he had no desire to do a Harden-Simmons trade (or even discuss it), but was compelled by threats from Harden (to slow play his recovery, yeah, imagine what that might look like), and Tsai’s increasing (by the day) unwillingness to take a stand.
In Harden’s case, yes, he predicted it (extension prior the season), but it was because Harden told him he wanted to do it. I guess Marks screwed up by trusting him.
Curious what other real offers were on the table for Simmons. If it wasn’t a deal for Harden their bench would look so much better because they would have received multiple players back and probably just dropped or included Joe. Harden has been good to a degree, better than a no show Ben. But if they had a Curry, Drummond, Collins and Bogdan lineup?
You think the hawks would give up Collins and Bogi for Simmons??? We wouldn’t even do Collins straight up.
We’ll see if they end up trading for Ben what the Nets get. But most of the rumors were about Collins and Bogdan to the Sixers and Harris out the door as well.
Exactly, Marks’ words seem carefully constructed, but you can feel that rage.
Sounds like Irving is on the block.
Honest question- not an Irving bitch session:
What is he worth? For Brooklyn and on the open market. Brooklyn knows better than anyone what his value is versus what he detracts from the team. I’m guessing they’d be hesitant to commit massive resources to a guy who hasn’t shown he can play a complete season and playoffs.
For another team same proposition; is the talent worth the headache? I’d have a hard time signing him to anything more than a 1year + option contract.
Would any fans here want him on their team?
Kyrie needs some mentoring and if Nash & Marks can’t find the formula, Miami Heat on a short list of quality coaching and front office maybe who could find his best fit. KD will probably have say either way, but nobody will ever know. Best case is Kyrie quits The Q Anus Society and takes some science and physics classes so he’s not being embarrassed by his own relatives’ kids in 10th grade science classes. Joe Harris and Ben Simmons healthy gonna make KD very smiley. Hopefully Kyrie, too. Or Westbrook & Butler probably getting trade offers.
Man, slow down the political talk here. Please. We get it and nobody is changing their minds here on the subject. You made your point.
Best thing ever was Harden leaving. He is not worth 25 mill a yr. What I don’t get is. How do you Not know about Bens back. I’m a Ben supporter. But this pissed me off.
How does anyone know what’s going on with Ben Simmons? This is shades of Kawhi v Spurs except Ben doesn’t want to play at all.
Did you actually read the article that has been widely reported across all media: Ben Simmons had poor medical care at 76ers – likely simple misunderstanding due to death of a family member in same time frame – but his back injury developed into an inflamed herniated disc that required very recent back surgery. *BACK SURGERY ON HIS SPINE*. Isn’t it time to read more and rant less? Orange Oaf on his way to the pokey, so none of this troll hate is going to accomplish anything.
He also had a poor playoff run last year and didn’t want to report to the team. His spine has nothing to do with his head. It was only when he was traded did his back all of a sudden begin to act up enough he couldn’t play.
Ben had a family member murdered in same time frame he was supposed to be working with team therapists, and media forces trying to push Ben onto the court on a team who already dropped him in the grease why they fell short over one shot. As far as Harden goes, on the Nets, Kyrie wants the ball. And KD likes to play point when his matchups aren’t switching. Harden needs to be point to get his game rolling. Oftentimes Harden would gobble the ball when KD had hot hand. So at Philly, Harden can play his natural game because just like before, too much alpha makes for bad team chemistry. Kyrie is still a question mark but he’s no doubt a top 10 player in the league. Nash really hasn’t had any chance to see what this team can do. But I’d say any more drama, it’s gotta be blown up and build it around Ben. Ben will make enough money to be wherever he wants to be in the off season. Nash & Marks are good dudes that don’t grow on trees,so Ben should get healthy, go full gusto, stop listening to little girly boy Steven A yelling at TV cameras because Ben pulling down bigger paydays…just play have fun learn the nuances from KD and Nash…and Marks saw enough Tim Duncan to help Ben after front office meetings. Lakers have more work to do by far. Just stop looking for greener grass and see the good in where you’re at now. Get well Ben!
Pretty telling quote Marks had. If he is looking for guys who are “available, selfless, and team oriented” there is really no sense of considering resigning Kyrie!
The dynasty that never was and never will be
Agreed! This team showed how it can go sideways – fast, and make a bad situation even worse. Not sure if Marks should get high ‘Marks’ for his efforts. Now he’s stuck with Simmons and that contract, a crazy PG whom I doubt anyone would be willing to drop top dollar long term on, and a star who thinks he’s bigger than the team but is reminded he’s only as good as the team he’s surrounded by.
They should’ve kept Harden, let him play out the playoffs, walk, and if Irving opted out they’d just have Durant as opposed to Durant and a bad Simmons contract. Honestly, what if they Nets let Irving walk if he opted out. Would Harden have changed his mind?
Im telling Kyrie opt in or walk personally, no ext today
If its a great 2023 then we can talk again in 365 days, the cap will still be there waiting via bird rights
Ive always felt Kevin was the type of star that would be better suited on a 2006 Pistons team than the 2020 Nets. Odlly he’s never quite had that kinda team yet as his early OKC teams had had stars, GSW certainly
GSW was loaded when KD got his ring there, but I agree, it wasn’t really him as much as just a stacked bench. Nets could still be his place, but it really does depend upon Simmons’ surgery and rehab. Now that specialists have pinpointed the source of inflammation that was being downplayed by Morey to get Harden to ruin another team, Simmons will have an opportunity to show everyone why nobody should play on teams with political agendas that are about damaging players & teams. Sixers being who they are will blame it on Doc Rivers, who isn’t a bad coach by any stretch… he’s been set up to look inept by look what happened in Houston… Rockets still stuck with John Wall and if I was Rockets’ owner, I would consider suing for return of all salaries paid for Morey’s methodical destruction of Houston, slowly being implemented in Philly. Sucks because Embid in a situation like San Antonio or Miami would result in organizational team building around his skill set much like Duncan and to a lesser degree Bam. Morey tinkering with coach’s rosters 24)7/365, and agents get in the ear that Morey shopping them at same time coach asking players to focus and hustle. Sixers and NBA will be a notch better with Morey flushed.
Rockets were quite successful, and the owner wanted win-now moves. I like the colorful words but “methodical destruction”?
And the Sixers are still in it. Tobias was already signed.
The description of the herniated disk growing in size is significant bc it all sounded flimsy, as backs can go bad from depression or lack of activity as well as overuse. The spinal cord is part of the CNS so feels the brain’s mood and could contribute.
It is hard to work on muscle groups without working the spine too and this year’s big changes in activity would be hard on it.
The “smell of the gym” & “building together” language shows execs think this too.
I don’t think Morey can be much blamed, assuming this herniation growth would Not have happened if Simmons had played to his contract. Who can say. We have chiropractors for a reason.
Rockets were ‘successful’ under Blob Boi Daryl Morey?!!! When players do dumb stuff placing lives at risk associating with gang members, those players usually get removed…the white collar criminals in NBA front offices on some teams should adhere to NBA league rules and go away… or go to jail. Morey is rot.
This is about Daryl Morey damaging NBA. Denials might work in Houston making blunder after blunder so Houston has to play on discount budget, but Morey doing exactly same mess in Philly.
Definitely going to be some court action against Morey, and the key person in Philly front office who hired Morey against all logic.
Simmons was just a pawn as the facts coming out on Sixers’ Morey downplaying Simmons’ herniated disc so he could saddle Sixers with big problems to get transaction fees paid to himself…same ole same ole. Except Morey was much more well known damaged goods than Simmons by far, yet Sixers hired that Lump of Dump Morey anyway. Definitely court action pending. And Simmons will be a perfect fit with KD. Kyrie will probably get point with small ball unit if he sticks around. He still needs to show his ring with Bron wasn’t a gift from King Goat. Sitting out games over a flu shot or pouting means Kyrie has to find some sense of self perception contrast versus what has really happened since those Cavaliers days. I like Kyrie. He’s just been around some really nutty influences. Flat Earth Society watching cable TV shared globally by geosynchronous transponders in space dependent upon coordinates built around round orbital patterns that if our planet was a ‘pancake in space’, the satellites would trail off and so would we… gravity dictates. Physics. Instead of falling for the fantastic stories by fantastically odd humans, do some reading for yourself. No matter who is feeding Kyrie the crazy stuff, he’s the one too lazy to verify facts for himself ultimately. Nash & Marks being very understanding, but I’d say this is Kyrie’s last chance to attempt a full season without drama he’s created. KD has been fantastic dealing with everything, all things considered. But KD on the floor with a healthy Simmons is something no opponent wants to deal with.
Teams who excel in the playoffs sorted out load management and roster rotations to minimize injuries and playing to win, not pad stats. Kyrie is a good dude in my opinion, but him being out meant load management and rotations going to be injuries from irregular minutes and roles, guys out of position…and team unity unraveling. Covid hammered teams with vulnerabilities and suspect coaching. Nash I believe will prove to be a solid coach if he wants it (imagine all those headaches and drama as a rookie coach; I think he’s a keeper). Durant was a real trooper but I think he needs an emotional break from the drama he had no control over at all. Sean Marks knows Pop wanted Sean because he was a team guy who gave good effort anytime his number was called. It ain’t easy taking starting job from Timmy! So Nets don’t need to panic. Trades are sometimes a poor cover-up for team building and team culture. Joe Harris injury was major, and just one thing too many to overcome. If this team stays intact perhaps adding some long youthful defenders, Simmons gets healthy, no reason to hit any panic button. Kyrie has to focus on just being ready to play a whole season. Nobody going to fix it with stars playing 35 minutes nightly. The old NBA was primarily half court game, so listening to some dudes saying “back in the day…”…back in the day, they could not run this game at this speed for even 20 minutes. Coaches need to coach, and stars need to let them. Personal stats goals as ‘game strategy’ already proven THE LOSING FORMULA. Take a page from Pop’s Notebook and get the minds on the team game, and the talent is there. Ben Simmons healthy is on a short list of guys who can slow Giannis. He’s a helluva hustle player just give the young man some breathing room.
Kiwi should engage Kyrie enough to make him think that if he opts out, BRK will max re-up him. After he opts out, purposely low-ball him an offer so that he feels disrespectful and walks.
Addition by substraction.
Do you have any other really bad suggestion for the day or this is the one you focus today? SMH!
Can we get a ‘keeping up with Kyrie’ TV show please?
“Kyrie At MIT”… He’ll be eating flat pancakes in his science lab wearing safety glasses, with Professor Nash describing physics of gravitational pull based on mass and centripetal forces… suddenly a Space X rocket disaster stops Earth’s rotation and his pancakes and everything else floating out into deep space…
Just think of all the wasted energy from fans that goes into this league, full of guys who have little passion for their teams and actually doing their jobs. The NBA is so far from reality and sets a very poor example for how to live, especially for young people. Naismith can’t be too proud of what’s come of the great game of basketball.