The Nets were swept out of the first round by the Celtics. Now they face major offseason questions surrounding Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons and Steve Nash. Chris Mannix and Howard Beck weigh in on Brooklyn's future.
Mannix: OK, Beck, three years into the Kevin Durant/Kyrie Irving Era in Brooklyn and the Nets have one playoff series win to show for it. This is an important offseason for several reasons, so let’s unpack them. Start with Kyrie Irving, who could become a free agent this summer: What kind of contract—if any—should Brooklyn offer him?
Beck: Honestly, the Nets should get out of the Kyrie business entirely. As talented as he is, he’s easily the most frustrating and unreliable star in the league (followed closely by his teammate Ben Simmons). Irving has played in just 103 games for the Nets over three seasons, missing the other 123 because of injuries, his vaccine refusal and a mysterious two-week break a year ago. This isn’t a guy you want to invest $35 million a year in. And yet … he’s Kevin Durant’s buddy, and KD wants him there.
