“Joe Tsai says ‘I want my organisation back, I’ve ceded too much power to these players’” - NBA analyst believes Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant will almost certainly leave the Nets
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving leaving Brooklyn is a near certainty, according to NBA analyst Shannon Sharpe. Sharpe believes Nets owner Joe Tsai wants "organization back" and is tired of allowing players to dictate terms.
On an episode of Undisputed, Sharpe said:
“Joe Tsai says ‘I want my organisation back … I’ve ceded too much power to these players.’”
“I believe both players will get traded, I am as close to 100% as both players not being on the Nets.”
.@ShannonSharpe on the chances of KD and Kyrie both being traded:
"I think it's 99.9%, I don't want to say 100% because even Clorox Wipes only say 99.9%. I believe ownership and Joe Tsai wants their organization back." https://t.co/BgwvNdaC7b
Durant and Irving both joined Brooklyn in 2019. The Nets gave up a solid, youthful core in exchange for the two superstars in hopes of a quick run to the title. Unfortunately for them, that never panned out.
Even after signing Blake Griffin and James Harden, the Nets were unable to perform at a high level and crashed out early in the playoffs.
As a result, Shannon Sharpe believes that both Durant and Irving will want a fresh start elsewhere.
"Kevin Durant does not want to be there" - Shannon Sharpe
Sharpe went on to speculate over the reasons why Durant and Irving want out of Brooklyn. Many believe that Durant has not received the help he feels he deserves in order to lead the Nets to a title. As such, he feels he is entitled to a move away.
Irving, on the other hand, has opted into his player contract with Brooklyn, but will most likely get traded since the Nets simply do not have faith in the point guard.
According to Sharpe, the Nets would be willing to keep Durant and part with Irving if that's what the forward wanted. However, he believes the two-time champion wants no part of Brooklyn anymore.
“If KD were to go to them and say, ‘guys, the situation with Kyrie didn’t work, y’all can move him, let’s see what we can get, I’m willing to stay,’ they would grant Kevin Durant that. But Kevin Durant does not want to be there.”