The Brooklyn Nets have positioned themselves as perennial champion contenders. Kevin Durant has renewed his contract with the team for a few years, and two other Brooklyn superstars will soon do the same.
Nets general manager Sean Marks told reporters on Wednesday that the team is in dialogue with James Harden and Kyrie Irving on contract renewals. Max said he is “very confident” that Harden and Irving will reach a new contract before the start of the 2021-22 training camp.
A few days ago, Durant agreed to a four-year, $198 million renewal contract. The two-time NBA Finals MVP has been signed until the 2025-26 season.
Harden and Irving are currently eligible to become free agents next summer. According to ESPN reports, if Harden gets the player option for the 2022-2023 season, he can sign a three-year renewal contract worth $161 million. Irving can sign a four-year, $186.6 million renewal contract, which will put him on the same schedule as his superstar teammates.
Harden must choose to join his contract for the 2022-23 season and renew his contract for another three seasons.
The first year of extension cannot be less than the rejected option year. https://t.co/UzIpSJiKsg
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) August 11, 2021
Kevin Durant agreed for 4 years,
Renewed contract with the Nets for $198 million. BKN GM Sean Marks expressed “very confident” to James Harden & Kyrie Irving will also agree to renew his contract with the Nets on the first day of training camp. The video is here: pic.twitter.com/9CtZsgwzmI— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) August 11, 2021
Brooklyn seems to be progressing well on the way to the 2021 NBA Finals, but injuries have affected the progress of the playoffs. As Irving and Harden missed seven games in the conference semifinals, the Nets pushed the final champion Milwaukee Bucks into overtime in the decisive seventh game.
Durant averaged 35.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists against the Bucks.Durant defeated Giannis Antetokounmpo, prompting the Milwaukee star Call Durant “The best player in the world.”
If Durant, Harden and Irving stay in Brooklyn until 2026, it means that Brooklyn can maintain core unity better than any modern super team.
LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are all four season teammates of the Miami Heat. James’ second season with the Cleveland Cavaliers lasted four years before he went to the Los Angeles Lakers. Durant spent three seasons with the Golden State Warriors with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.
The Nets are clearly the favorite team to win the 2022 NBA Finals.
Both Blake Griffin and Bruce Brown chose to re-sign with the Nets instead of going elsewhere. Brooklyn added backup point guard Patty Mills in the free agency market.
Durant and Irving signed with the Nets as free agents in the summer of 2019. Durant missed the entire 2019-2020 season due to a torn Achilles tendon. Brooklyn traded Harden in January.
The three superstars played a total of 146 regular-season games for the Nets.
Photo: Sarah Steele/Getty Images
