Report: Kyrie undecided on future ahead of player option deadline

Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving is debating his future with the franchise as his deadline to pick up a player option for next season approaches, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania on Monday.

Irving has until June 29 to accept a $36.9-million player option for the 2022-23 campaign. If he declines the option, he'd become an unrestricted free agent this superstar voiced his interest in remaining with the Nets after their first-round sweep at the hands of the Boston Celtics in April, saying he doesn't "really plan on going elsewhere." However, talks between him and the team have stalled and are now at an impasse.

Irving didn't suit up until Jan. 5 due to a vaccine mandate that prevented him from playing in home games. He then participated as a part-time player on the road until he was allowed to play in Brooklyn for the last two weeks of the season and the playoffs.

Since joining the Nets ahead of the 2019 season, Irving averaged 27.2 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game but appeared in only 103 of a possible 216 regular-season contests.

The Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and New York Knicks are expected to show interest in Irving should he hit the open market this summer, according to Chanaria.

Due to salary-cap constraints, all three teams would either need Irving to take a pay cut or the Nets to agree to a sign-and-trade deal.

Even if Irving were to leave, the Nets would nearly be over the salary cap due to large salaries owed to Kevin Durant and Ben Simmons, among others.