>
‘The ball is in the Nets’ court’: Kyrie Irving wants to start contract extension talks with Brooklyn, his agent reveals… but the team has yet to open ‘meaningful’ talks after two years of controversy
Brooklyn Nets superstar Kyrie Irving is open to extending his stay in Brooklyn according to his agent and stepmother Shetellia Riley Irving, however the team has not taken any steps to start negotiations.
Irving is currently in the final year of his contract with the Nets and will become a free agent after the season.
‘About Kyrie and staying with the Nets? I’ve reached out to the Nets regarding this,’ Riley-Irving said. Bleach Report. ‘We have not had meaningful conversations to date.
Kyrie Irving has contacted the Brooklyn Nets to begin contract extension talks
“The desire is to make Brooklyn their home, with the right kind of stretch, which means the ball is in the Nets’ court to communicate now if their desire is the same.”
After being given permission to pursue a trade in the offseason, Irving has put together a breakout season after missing a lot of time in recent years.
He is averaging 26.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists this season.
Despite strong performances, Irving has been unable to avoid controversy, having been suspended for eight games this season after reposting a link to a movie that was deemed anti-Semitic.
Prior to this, he missed two-thirds of the season due to his vaccination stance and the fact that he was unable to play until both the NBA and, more importantly, New York City changed their vaccination laws to allow for Irving to take the field.
Irving will become the starting guard for the Eastern All-Stars thanks to leading the fan voting.
To go along with this, Irving flirted with opting out of his deal and leaving the team last summer around the same time he was allowed to seek a trade.
The two sides have been eligible to begin negotiations on an extension for two years.
Nets coach Jacque Vaughn praised Irving when speaking to the press recently.
“Overall, we’ve had some success when we’ve been able to space out the court, get the ball in Kai’s hand, get the shot around him,” Vaughn said.
He’s been very good at picking his spots, understanding when we need him to take over the game, understanding how to be a decoy at times, how to be a blocker. So many different levels of the game that it is capable of producing for us.
‘And big buckets late in the game, whether it’s foul, rebounding, just big plays. I think he loves that moment. And he has continued to show up.
Head coach Jacque Vaughn has continued to praise Irving in the press despite his past actions.