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2022 Free Agents - Kyrie Irving

Summary
Irving is a very efficient scorer, as he has some of the best touch around the rim in the league. He's one of the best under-the-rim finishers in league history. His ability to finish high off the glass, at difficult angles, with either hand, all while going full speed is essentially unparalled. His terrific ball-handling ability allows him to get in the lane often. He has shot 40% or above from three for nine of his eleven NBA seasons, and has consistently been a very good midrange shooter as well.

Despite being one of the most gifted scorers in the world, Irving hasn't quite consistently done enough in other aspects of the game to be considered a top-10 player in the league. He has never been a high-assist player or great play-maker, and isn't an elite passer. He's not going to carve up defenses in pick-and-roll the way someone like Luka Doncic or Trae Young will. He also doesn't get to the free throw line as often as some of the elite scorers, and has been getting to the rim less frequently in recent years. On defense, Irving is below-average but moves his feet well and fights over screens when the games matter the most.

The questions about Irving are mostly related to off-the-court issues. He has trouble staying healthy, and tends to make things more complicated than they need to be. Reasonable people can debate both sides of Irving's priorities but at the end of the day what matters most is how it impacts his availability on the court. Because of his elite talent, I still expect Irving to get a max contract at whatever length he wants, but I also believe that some teams would simply just not be interested.
 
Cap Considerations
Irving has a $36.5 million player option for '22-'23. If he opts out, Irving will be an unrestricted free agent with a $42.7 million cap hold and full Bird Rights. Since the Nets will not have any cap space and be operating over the cap, Irving's cap hold isn't really relevant.

If Irving becomes a free agent, the Nets can offer him a 5-year, $247.7 million contract. Irving might also try to get a player option on the final year, and a 15% trade bonus.

Other teams will be able to offer Irving a 4-year, $183.6 million max offer, with a player option and 15% trade bonus. Irving could also sign a shorter-term contract if he wants more flexibility, and I would not be surprised if he signs a 3+1 in order to line his contract up with that of Kevin Durant.

Potential Teams: Nets, Knicks, Clippers, Mavericks, Pelicans

Predicted Contract: 4-year, $191.3 million (4th-year player option) with the Nets

Actual Contract: Opt-In: $36.5 million

The Nets justifiably were not willing to give Irving a long-term contract, and despite exploring other options Irving ended up opting in for '22-'23, so he is scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency in 2023 unless an extension is agreed to before then.

Last updated: 6/27/2022

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