Should the Brooklyn Nets part ways with Kyrie Irving after suspension?
The Brooklyn Nets have suspended superstar guard Kyrie Irving for at least five games following an off-court drama that unfolded over the past week.
The suspension comes after Irving's failure to disavow antisemitism or apologize for a social media post about a book and movie that featured antisemitic tropes. His actions and defiance caused a public firestorm.
Both Nets owner Joe Tsai and NBA commissioner Adam Silver condemned Irving's post. Irving eventually apologized, but only after he was suspended.
"Such failure to disavow antisemitism when given a clear opportunity to do so is deeply disturbing, is against the values of our organization, and constitutes conduct detrimental to the team," the Nets said in a statement, via NBA.com.
"Accordingly, we are of the view that he is currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets. We have decided that Kyrie will serve a suspension without pay until he satisfies a series of objective remedial measures that address the harmful impact of his conduct and the suspension period served is no less than five games."
Irving will be away from the team for the foreseeable future. And what remains to be seen is whether this turbulent period will be his farewell to the Nets after three-and-a-half seasons.
"There are so many people within the (Nets) organization who are so tired of the stuff off the floor. ... Day by day, Kyrie has eroded the trust within the organization. ... There is a good chance he's played his last game there," ESPN's Nick Friedell said Thursday.
"There are so many people within the [Nets] organization who are so tired of the stuff off the floor... Day by day, Kyrie [Irving] has eroded the trust within the organization... There is a good chance he's played his last game there."
— Nick Friedell
https://t.co/Q2nwF5Oz1U
Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks noted that the franchise has not yet considered the possibility of waiving Irving.
However, after Irving failed to lead the Brooklyn Nets to the championship over the past three years, is it time for the two sides to go their separate ways?
Marks said the #Nets didn’t consider waiving him. Adds there is no progress yet in the coaching situation
Kyrie Irving has nothing more to offer the Brooklyn Nets
Kyrie Irving has been one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. He is extremely talented and an elite scorer. However, he is also one of the most controversial players in the entire league today.
In his first three seasons in Brooklyn, Irving played just 103 of 226 games for a variety of reasons from injuries to mental health issues to his refusal to get vaccinated and to this week's antisemitic posts. The seven-time All-Star is not a player the team should lean on in its quest for an NBA championship.
Irving wasn't even on the same page as coach Steve Nash. As early as October of 2020, before Nash had coached a game for the Nets, Irving declared he "really didn't see us having a head coach." Nash remained with the team for only seven games this season, and was let go following a rough start (2-5).
It is also clear that the organization is fed up with the entire situation and the controversy that surrounds Irving off the court.
The suspension could be the final chapter in a turbulent relationship between the Nets and Irving, who have not found common ground to work together since 2019.
With Irving's contract set to expire at the end of the season, it would make sense for the Nets to let him go and create a team around Kevin Durant.
Brooklyn's supporting cast is good, and the hiring of a new coach will bring some fresh air. Nets general manager Sean Marks has referred to the franchise's intention to bolster the roster, as the organization still believes it can challenge for the title.
To achieve so, they need to leave all this drama behind, but with Kyrie Irving not willing to change his stance, bringing him back will only create more turmoil.
