Assessing Kyrie Irving’s fit on the Brooklyn Nets

Kyrie Irving is an unrestricted free agent this summer and there is a rumor of his interest in a new team every day. One that is close to home, and apparently close to the top of his wish list is the Brooklyn Nets. How would he actually fit though?

The Kyrie Irving sweepstakes is in full effect. The league is bracing itself for plenty of player movement this July. It is accepted as cannon that the dominoes fall starting with the top of the free agency class.

Irving is one of the top three options alongside Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard. He has shown in the past that finding a new team is paramount of importance to him. He, unlike the other two players, demanded a trade.

Based off the way the team ended the season, not only with a dud against the Milwaukee Bucks, but also with a locker room completely divided, Irving isn’t long for Boston.

How about Brooklyn, though? The Nets are currently the team with the second highest odds. 

Before thinking about adding Irving, they have some roster decisions to make. Brooklyn has their own All-Star point guard in D’Angelo Russell who’s ticketed for free agency. Would they be willing to invest max contract money in two point guards?

More from Hardwood Houdini

• Boston Celtics’ two-way contract decision will be made after training camp
• Proposed trade sends Boston Celtics playoff killer to the Cs from rival
• ‘Face of Germany’s stunning run’ in FIBA World Cup not the only ex-Boston Celtics player to win gold
• Proposed Boston Celtics trade target pitched for reunion with fired coach
• Battle For Banner 18: Will Boston Celtics battle historical foe in 2024 Finals?

If so, Irving and Russell could potentially coexist as guys that can both run an offense. Think of it as a faster paced version of the Chris Paul-James Harden model in Houston. That wouldn’t be terrible from a basketball perspective.

The potential personality clash would be its biggest flaw (besides what could be a porous defensive backcourt). Both guys have had locker room questions when it came to fit and maturity. Giving both max money would force pundits to ask the inevitable “whose locker room is it” questions. That could be an issue with the bright lights and media blitz of New York City.

The other scenario would be the Nets choosing Irving over Russell. That wouldn’t be very Sean Marks-like based off of his decisions as general manager so far. He has shown loyalty to those whose careers he revitalized (ie. Spencer Dinwiddie and Joe Harris).

If he does do it though, Irving would be the unquestioned alpha with established locker room chemistry. It wouldn’t be too different than this years’ Celtics, but they wouldn’t have the presence of an established All-Star like Al Horford. That is unless they sign another superstar free agent with him.

If Durant, Leonard or even Jimmy Butler sign the dotted line to join Irving in Brooklyn…that team would be a problem. Two stars to join a team with role players that play their role to a tee would make them an Eastern Conference contender.

That is the worst case scenario for the Boston Celtics and the East. Irving and another star is better on the Nets than they would be with the Knicks’ core. It’s the scariest thought for the Celtics, who no longer get the Nets’ first round picks anymore.

Let’s hope Irving and Durant would team in Orange and Blue if they plan on taking over Gotham. Irving’s fit on the Nets is tantalizing, but that’s only if he has a superstar running mate with him.