Everything seems to indicate that the Brooklyn Nets do not plan to renew Kyrie Irving in the future, this in response to all the problems that his decision not to get vaccinated against COVID-19 will bring, missing more than half of the 2021-22 season of the NBA.
His contract runs through the 2022-23 season, in which he has a contract option to become a free agent. Under this scenario, the Nets could bet on a trade in search of another star and thus take advantage of their huge salary agreement.
Here are four stars who could join the team in exchange for Irving.
Fox has not only evolved into a superlative scorer, but at 23 he still seems to have quite a ceiling on his performance as a player. He starts his five-year contract this season with the Kings, so the deal would have bigger implications for the Nets.
Morant is one of the players with the greatest potential to be a star and his numbers prove it, being the top figure of the Grizzlies in two seasons. Even under his rookie contract a potential deal would involve several more pieces involved.
Towns is one of the best centers in the NBA, but he has never had a competent team to assist him on his way to becoming a contender. He has three seasons left on his contract with the Wolves at a similar value to Irving, which is pretty ideal considering a deal.
This may be the riskiest bet of them all, as Lillard not only weighs heavily on salary, but the Trail Blazers could demand a lot more than Irving. Getting his contract from the Nets would take his Big Three to another level.
