Kyrie Irving could consider retirement if traded?
There is no indication — yet — that the 76ers have an interest in exploring the Simmons-for-Kyrie Irving trade being thrown around as the natural “solution” for two Atlantic Division teams facing major headaches to start the season. Reason being: It is not at all the obvious solution it would appear to be on paper. There is a belief in some corners of the league that Irving would retire, or at least deeply ponder it, if Brooklyn suddenly traded him. The 29-year-old is also a challenge to manage in the best of times and can become a free agent as soon as next summer if he declines his lucrative player option for the 2022-23 season. Forget how tantalizing it is to imagine Brooklyn adding Simmons’ playmaking and defense. Does any of this sound like a palatable solution for Philly?
Source: Marc Stein @ marcstein.substack.com
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
For the late night crowd, Kyrie Irving found out he can practice shortly before the Nets beat the Bucks. But the situation still isn’t ideal for Brooklyn. Tonight’s story: theathletic.com/2878221/2021/1… – 12:11 AM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
KD on Kyrie: “Thats always tough when guys are in & out of the lineup, especially a starter like Kyrie. I dont know what the plan is going forward right now…So keep playing & focusing on what we’re focusing on in the locker room & once they figure it out we move forward.” #Nets – 11:58 PM
Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
“It’s a huge boost — Just to be able to have him around is great.”
⁃Joe Harris on getting Kyrie Irving back for practice. – 10:24 PM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Joe Harris calls the Kyrie news “a huge boost.” – 10:24 PM
Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
“We know what we’re supposed to be doing once he joins the team.”
⁃James Harden on Kyrie Irving. – 10:17 PM
Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Kevin Durant told reporters he’s happy Kyrie Irving can practice at home now. “At least he can practice. But I mean we want him here for the whole thing, we want him at games, home games, practices, away games, shootarounds, all of it. So hopefully we can figure this thing out.” – 10:11 PM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Kevin Durant on Kyrie Irving being able to practice at home: “We want him here for the whole thing, practices, home games, shootarounds. Hopefully we can figure this thing out.” #Nets #NBA – 10:10 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Kevin Durant on Kyrie Irving being able to practice at home: “At least he can practice, but we want him here for the whole thing.” #Nets – 10:09 PM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Kevin Durant on Kyrie: “At least he can practice, but we want him here for the whole thing.” – 10:08 PM
Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
“As that gets figured out, we move forward.”
⁃Kevin Durant on not having Kyrie Irving at the moment due to ineligibility. – 10:06 PM
Michael Gallagher @MikeSGallagher
Who needs Kyrie Irving when you have Cam Thomas? – 9:48 PM
Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
An NBA box score in the era of Covid
Irving – ‘ineligible to play’
Millsap – ‘heath and safety protocols’ pic.twitter.com/PkqEmucQcX – 9:32 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
New York City rules Kyrie Irving can practice with Nets, cannot play in games nba.nbcsports.com/2021/10/08/new… – 8:28 PM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Kyrie Irving can join #Nets for home practices nypost.com/2021/10/08/kyr… via @nypostsports – 8:26 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Nets 32, Bucks 26 after one
The starters looked crisp, but without Kyrie Irving, that second unit is going to lack some punch. Joe Harris (3/3 3PT) is ready for opening night, as are Harden and Durant. Some question marks around the edge of the rotation. – 8:08 PM
Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
The Nets now playing James Harden with a second unit of Bembry, Carter, Johnson and Aldridge
Bembry played at @tps_hsbb but didn’t overlap with Kyrie – 8:02 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Patty Mills has checked in for Bruce Brown. Nets now have Mills on the floor in place of Irving with their other 4 presumptive starters. – 7:51 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Aside from some fan jerseys in the crowd, not a ton of Kyrie Irving in Barclays tonight. Not a part (that I could see) of the pregame hype video, some of the merch shops didn’t have a jersey readily visible. – 7:40 PM
Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Kyrie Irving can practice at Nets practice facility in Brooklyn from @Tim Bontemps espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 7:36 PM
The Jump @_Talkin_NBA
Kyrie Irving timeline
📸: @YESNetwork
#NBATwitter pic.twitter.com/Pm0LyTigmp – 7:32 PM
Ian Begley @IanBegley
“It’s positive that he can now re-join his teammates in our practice center and train. (It) gives us more touch points with him and we’ll go from there.”
– Steve Nash on Kyrie Irving being permitted to practice with Nets in BK due to NYC ruling. More here: sny.tv/articles/nets-… – 7:32 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
The latest on Kyrie Irving’s situation in Brooklyn: nydailynews.com/sports/basketb… – 7:23 PM
Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
Things To L👀k Out For In The Nets vs Bucks Game:
▪️Kevin Durant, James Harden, Patty Mills, Blake Griffin and Joe Harris will make their preseason debut.
▪️ Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton are out for Milwaukee.
▪️Kyrie Irving and Paul Millsap are out for Brooklyn. – 7:17 PM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Kyrie Irving cleared to practice after Nets’ practice facility declared private office by New York City
cbssports.com/nba/news/kyrie… – 7:10 PM
Ian Begley @IanBegley
City Hall official confirms Kyrie Irving can practice at Nets’ facility in BKN. NYC sees BKN practice facility as ‘a private workplace’ not subject to vaccine mandate. Barclays Center, which is open to the public, remains subject to vaccine mandate. First reported by The Athletic – 7:05 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
Also from @Barbara Barker : A part-time Kyrie Irving isn’t healthy option for Nets
Do the Nets really want to have to juggle their lineups depending on what arena they are playing in? newsday.com/sports/columni… – 7:00 PM
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
Steve Nash says Kevin Durant and James Harden will play tonight at home AND he hopes Kyrie Irving can now participate in Saturday’s outdoor practice at BK Bridge Park as well as subsequent practices in Brooklyn.
Also: NBA news while flying even in early October? Like clockwork. – 6:51 PM
Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
Now on @ForbesSports
Kyrie Irving Cleared To Practice, But Not Play Home Games With Brooklyn Nets Despite Vaccination Status via @forbes forbes.com/sites/adamzago… – 6:30 PM
Brian Mahoney @briancmahoney
Steve Nash says Kyrie Irving is likely for Nets’ outdoor practice Saturday and perhaps more likely for Sunday after they learn of ruling allowing him to practice. Also says Harden and Durant playing tonight vs. Bucks. – 6:01 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Steve Nash says any instance where Kyrie Irving can be around the team is positive. “I don’t think that anyone’s really been through this before … but now we’re in the position where the pandemic is creating all these new scenarios.” – 5:57 PM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Asked about having Irving as a part-time player changes with the news of him able to practice, Steve Nash says “My first kind of thought is that it’s positive. We have him around the team for a larger period of our season. We’ll see what it means.” – 5:56 PM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Steve Nash: “The hope is that Kyrie Irving will practice tomorrow, but I can’t confirm that.” #Nets – 5:55 PM
Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Steve Nash says he hopes Kyrie Irving will be able to practice at the team’s practice outdoors at Brooklyn Bridge Park on Saturday. Nash also says that he is hopeful that Irving will join team on road on Sunday at Philadelphia. – 5:55 PM
Ian Begley @IanBegley
Nets’ coach Steve Nash says ‘the hope is that’ Kyrie Irving will practice with the Nets tomorrow at their annual outdoor practice. Nash says Kevin Durant and James Harden will play tonight vs. MIL. Paul Millsap is out due to health and safety protocols. – 5:54 PM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Steve Nash said there’s a chance Kyrie Irving could join the #Nets at Brooklyn Bridge Park tomorrow. Adds Paul Millsap is out tonight (health and safety protocols). #NBA – 5:54 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
“The hope is that Kyrie Irving will practice tomorrow, but I can’t confirm that,” says Steve Nash. – 5:53 PM
Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
Steve Nash also says,
“The hope is that Kai (Kyrie Irving) is at practice tomorrow.” – 5:53 PM
Ian Begley @IanBegley
“It’s positive for us,” Steve Nash says when asked about The Athletic’s report that states NYC has deemed the Nets’ practice facility a private facility, which allows Kyrie Irving to practice there. Nash didn’t want to comment in detail until he learned more about the ruling. – 5:52 PM
The Vertical @YahooSportsNBA
Kyrie Irving has been cleared to practice at home after NYC determined the Nets’ practice facility is a private office building, per @Shams Charania. Will still need vaccination to play home games. pic.twitter.com/xTzsaPiGyX – 5:51 PM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Steve Nash calls @Shams Charania‘s report on Irving’s ability to practice in Brooklyn “positive news.” – 5:51 PM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Steve Nash on Irving being able to practice at HSS: “Its positive to be able to welcome him back into the building him and have him be part of the team…It sounds like its positive news.” #Nets #NBA – 5:51 PM
Dan Favale @danfavale
practice facility kyrie is going to be a problem 😤 – 5:50 PM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Steve Nash declines to give a starting lineup for tonight. Says they may have Kyrie Irving on the road Sunday, but isn’t sure of his status for Monday’s game because he hasn’t been with the team for a week. – 5:50 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Steve Nash says it sounds like the team may have Kyrie Irving on the road with them. – 5:50 PM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
New York City has determined the Brooklyn Nets‘ practice facility, HSS Training Center, is a private office building – clearing Nets All-Star Kyrie Irving to practice at home, City Hall official tells @TheAthletic @Stadium. – 5:41 PM
Henry Abbott @TrueHoop
Do the Nets need Kyrie? truehoop.com/p/bring-it-in-… @David Thorpe @jshector pic.twitter.com/OZ6FDdiBqS – 5:08 PM
David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc
PMers: Kyrie Irving isn’t playing; Ben Simmons still isn’t reporting. What’s possible right now for each? And, are Lillard and Beal locked in to their teams for good? Our @Sam Amick, @John Hollinger & I discuss, in @The Athletic: bit.ly/3iMqGDD – 5:00 PM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Every starter from the 2013 All-Star game that is still active now plays for either Lakers or Nets- expect Chris Paul
And every 2013 All-Star Western Conference reserve (Harden, Aldridge, Westbrook) and every East reserve that logged > 20 mins (Kyrie) also now plays for LA or BK – 3:16 PM
Zach Lowe @ZachLowe_NBA
Lowe Post podcast: @Bill Simmons and I bat around the big questions for the coming NBA season: Kyrie/Nets, Ben Simmons, the life and death of rivalries, playoff locks and play-in worries, more:
Apple: apple.co/3uMWsoO
Spotify: spoti.fi/3lhApmV – 1:52 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
No, a Ben Simmons/Kyrie Irving trade is not realistic nba.nbcsports.com/2021/10/08/no-… – 1:15 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Friday’s @LockedOnLakers podcast! We preview the Lakers — on the court and from a fantasy B-Ball perspective — and talk Kyrie and Simmons w/@redrock_bball from @LockedOnNBAPods and @lockedonfantasy. #FirstListen
Subscribe. Rate. Enjoy. Thx.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pre… – 12:20 PM
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
“I feel totally different,” says @James Harden. From the mag, even with Kyrie Irving in limbo, the Nets have enough firepower to win the title — and bring the super team era roaring back. buff.ly/3mBRUOw – 11:32 AM
Barbara Barker @meanbarb
Is he in? Or is he out? Kyrie owes Nets an answer on this Cause a part-time Kyrie Irving isn’t healthy option for this team. My column. newsday.com/sports/columni… – 10:07 AM
David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc
The start of the season is imminent – and Ben Simmons is still holding out, while Kyrie Irving isn’t playing. What happens there, and will Lillard & Beal stay put? Our @Sam Amick, @John Hollinger & I discuss, in @The Athletic: theathletic.com/2876529/2021/1… – 9:00 AM
Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
Kyrie Irving FAQ: Home games in question, trade talk, contract status and more
With @Tim Bontemps and @Brian Windhorst
espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 8:31 AM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Nets list Kyrie Irving as ineligible for preseason home opener nba.nbcsports.com/2021/10/08/net… – 8:01 AM
More on this storyline
Jake Fischer: Anyone who I know who’s been remotely involved with Brooklyn since they signed Kevin and Kyrie in 2019 have maintained that he does not want to go anywhere, but be in Brooklyn. He wants to be in Brooklyn with Kevin and they want to win a championship together. -via Spotify / October 6, 2021
Jake Fischer: James Harden’s people have told various people around the NBA that they trust who have told me that they expect Kyrie to to be there and be long term -via Spotify / October 6, 2021
Yet several league sources with knowledge of the situation strongly pushed back on the notion that either Irving or the Nets are looking to make such a move. “Kyrie came to Brooklyn to win a championship alongside Kevin Durant,” one veteran executive told B/R. James Harden’s confidants, sources said, have communicated they expect Irving to be part of Brooklyn for the foreseeable future. -via Bleacher Report / September 30, 2021
