Kevin Durant’s Nets about-face left LeBron James, Lakers empty-handed

Kevin Durant’s sudden recommitment to the Nets apparently derailed the Lakers’ plan to dump Russell Westbrook in a possible point-guard swap for Kyrie Irving.

Though Irving opted in to his $37 million contract for the 2022-23 season on the finish of June, the Nets had been nonetheless exploring commerce choices for the All-Star guard — together with a attainable Lakers deal involving Westbrook and draft compensation, in response to The Athletic.

The Lakers had been reportedly utilizing Westbrook’s contract to match salaries for a possible Irving commerce, as The Athletic acknowledged in a separate report that LeBron James was “privately adamant” that Los Angeles wanted to commerce for Irving.

Kyrie Irving, left, and Kevin Durant will stay with the Nets for now.

AP

LeBron James had reportedly been thinking about reuniting with Kyrie Irving in Los Angeles.

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Westbrook opted in to the ultimate yr and $47 million left on his contract with the Lakers on the finish of June.

Nevertheless, with Durant rescinding his commerce request and returning to Brooklyn, the Lakers’ pursuit of Irving hit a lifeless finish on Tuesday.

Nets normal supervisor Sean Marks stated in a press release on Tuesday that after a face-to-face to clear the air, the Nets and Durant — whose shock commerce request got here in June — are “shifting ahead” collectively to chase the franchise’s first-ever NBA championship.

Following his commerce request, Durant additionally proposed an ultimatum for the Nets to maneuver him, or fireplace Marks and coach Steve Nash to ensure that him to remain. No matter occurred in that face-to-face assembly resulted in all three remaining in Brooklyn for the foreseeable future, with the expectation for this to be a long-term marriage.

“We wish to construct a long-lasting franchise,” a Nets supply instructed The Put up’s Brian Lewis, “so this isn't nearly this yr.”

Irving, in the meantime, has been figuring out with teammates and holding “constructive dialogue” with Nets brass this offseason, in response to The Athletic. Irving’s dedication to Brooklyn got here into query final season after he performed in simply 29 video games as a consequence of his non-compliance with the town’s COVID-19 vaccine coverage.

Durant, who will flip 34 in September, signed a four-year, $198 million extension with the Nets final August.