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With free agency only a month away, the rumors are starting to come out even with the Finals not even complete.
Every day we’re going to see posturing by teams and agents hoping to reach their goals of getting the best contracts possible while also creating contenders.
One of the biggest rumors floating around is about Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets.
Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s First Take Special - “I have learned that Kyrie Irving has given every indiciation to the Brooklyn #Nets that that is where he wants to go, not the New York #Knicks.” pic.twitter.com/dlbKKMrBt1
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 4, 2019
All you cats doubting me on my Kyrie to @BrooklynNets knowledge I was dropping today—get your apologies ready. They will be accepted but ONLY if heartfelt & sincere. Seacrest out.
— Colin Cowherd (@ColinCowherd) June 5, 2019
Kyrie Irving to the Nets is interesting because of who has been in Brooklyn leading the show.
If Kyrie Irving goes to Brooklyn it means he becomes the ball dominant guard there. D’Angelo Russell may be fine sharing duties with Irving but you can’t help but wonder if, after seeing what happened in Boston, if Russell wants to be a part of the Nets with Irving allegedly on his way.
Not surprising there are rumors that certain teams are going to chase the young, dynamic guard.
Teams expected to show interest in D-Lo this summer (per @ShamsCharania)
— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) June 4, 2019
Nets
Jazz
Magic
Wolves
Pacers pic.twitter.com/f2FoBxlK0d
Now, rumors are just rumors until something happens but you don’t see the Nets letting teams know they’ll match any offer. It’s getting complicated for Russell’s free agency. (from the New York Post)
If D’Angelo Russell had his druthers, he’d stay in Brooklyn and re-sign with the Nets. But he knows his fate may be impacted by bigger fish in the free-agent pond — including his friend Kyrie Irving.
Russell, 23, admits he has no idea what to expect from his first free agency — but he has seen enough to know the NBA is a business. And unless he and the Nets reach an extension before June 30, he’ll have to be patient as the superstars set — and shape — the market.
“It’s more of just the waiting game as far as chess moves have to be made,” Russell told The Post via phone while on vacation in Spain. “There’s a lot of big fish out there that have to find their destinations so I think I’ll [fall in line after that].
“There are a lot of fish out there that need to find destinations. So whenever that time comes then I have decisions to make on my own, I think I’ll be well ready for it.”
This may come down to what other players do and if the Nets are lucky enough to nab a couple big free agents. If they do, they may be unwilling to re-sign Russell even though he is a restricted free agent.
If the Nets decided to move on, would it be possible for Russell to choose the Jazz?
If Russell were to become unrestricted, I think it would be a conversation https://t.co/RVsoRzQJln
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) May 28, 2019
Don’t forget that Donovan Mitchell and D’Angelo Russell share the same agency. In the end, Russell will make his own decisions, but CAA will make sure he knows how much good the Jazz have done for Donovan Mitchell and what they could do for him and his future.
A lot of dominoes have to fall for this to even be possible, but with so many rumors, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Russell become available at some point this free agency.