"I told you from Day 1 that they're both going to be Nets" - Skip Bayless doubles down on his claim that Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will stay in Brooklyn
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have spent the offseason surrounded by rumors regarding their potential departure from the Brooklyn Nets. The offseason kicked off with the Nets unwilling to commit to Irving long term, which led to speculation that he could end up with the LA Lakers. Durant followed that by requesting a trade out of Brooklyn, one which he has yet to rescind.
The two stars recently worked out together in Los Angeles, and "Undisputed" host Skip Bayless was unsurprised, saying:
"I told you from Day One: They're both going to be Nets. In large part because (owner) Joe Tsai is going to say, 'Kevin, I'm sorry, you have four more years that haven't even kicked in yet, and they start on opening night – I'm sorry, Kevin, but you're going to be there as a Net on opening night.'
KD and Kyrie were spotted working out together via Trae Young's IG post:
"This was significant to me. I told you from Day 1 that they're both going to be Nets." — @RealSkipBayless https://t.co/9awxjGrezj
Bayless' comments reiterated similar beliefs from his former "Cold Pizza" and "First Take" co-host Stephen A. Smith. Smith said that Tsai should refuse to trade Durant until, at least, next offseason. This seems like the most likely course of action with training camp approaching and the trade marketed altered by the Rudy Gobert trade.
Could Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets run it back?
While many, including Skip Bayless, have speculated that Kyrie Irving is part of the reason why Kevin Durant wants a trade, that has always seemed unreasonable. The two have long been best friends, and their recent appearance in Los Angeles together shows that friendship hasn't changed. That's something Durant said he wouldn't allow at the beginning of free agency.
Caption This ⬇️⬇️ What is Kyrie saying to KD https://t.co/gsG0VDHeNB
The idea of leaving his best friend is Durant's main motivation to leave Brooklyn has never made much sense. It seems far more likely that Durant has been attempting to leverage the Nets into giving Irving a long-term extension.
If the Nets run it back, they will likely be one of the NBA's top contenders. As much as Durant, Irving and Ben Simmons have been criticized, they likely will be motivated to prove their naysayers wrong. While the trio has yet to share the court, it is easy to see they are a nearly perfect basketball fit.
Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and Ben Simmons have combined for
22 All Star appearances
14 All-NBA selections
3 ROY
2 All-Defensive
How far can this Brooklyn trio go? https://t.co/YdjqRYXB3Y
Not only do the Nets have arguably the NBA's most talented Big Three in the NBA, the team also has surrounding talent around them. They have improved their depth this offseason, and if they are able to keep their two superstars, it's hard not to envision them in the title conversation.
The Nets *could* just run it back.
Kyrie Irving
Joe Harris
Kevin Durant
Ben Simmons
Nic Claxton
Bench:
Patty Mills
Seth Curry
Royce O’Neale
Cam Thomas
TJ Warren https://t.co/GR4319H0Iy