PHOENIX SUNS
Kyrie Irving opts into $36.5 million option with Brooklyn Nets, per reports
All-Star guard Kyrie Irving will be opting into his $36.5 million player option with the Brooklyn Nets, according to multiple reports.
Shams Charania was the first to report the move.
“Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow. I’ve made my decision to opt in. See you in the fall. A11even,” Irving said.
The 30-year-old is “bypassing on multiple opt-in and trade scenarios to fulfill his four-year commitment to the Nets and Kevin Durant,” Charania adds.
Irving had until 2 p.m. Arizona time on Wednesday to either opt in or out of his player option with Brooklyn, with NBA free agency commencing on Thursday at 3 p.m. Arizona time.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Los Angeles Lakers were the only team interested in making such a deal with the Nets.
A potential divorce between Irving and Brooklyn was also fabricating possible new teams for 10-time All-NBA wing Kevin Durant, who has four years and $192.5 million left on his contract that will expire when he’s 38 years old in 2026.
Earlier on Monday, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that the Nets were prepared to lose both Irving and Durant this offseason.
The reports of Irving opting into his option also saw DraftKings Sportsbook remove its odds for who Phoenix Suns restricted free agent center Deandre Ayton will play for next season.
Brooklyn started Monday at +4,000 odds to land the former No. 1 overall pick out of Arizona, which fell all the way down to +250 before the sportsbook removed the wager altogether once the Irving news dropped.
