Kyrie Irving’s Instagram post makes it look like he’s committed to the Nets

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 07: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 07: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)

The Brooklyn Nets might have built one of the best teams in the NBA on the back of Kevin Durant’s mercurial scoring ability and James Harden’s ability to record a triple-double with his eyes closed, but that doesn’t mean you should forget about Kyrie Irving and his mesmerizing handles.

Irving, who arrived in Brooklyn in 2019 along with Durant and DeAndre Jordan, might have (unfairly) earned a reputation as one of the more radioactive players in the league due to the fact he’s missed a large chunk of time in the last few years and his occasionally off-the-wall personality, but he remains one of the best guards in this game.

Durant has already agreed to a massive extension to stay in Brooklyn for most of the next decade, and most are hoping that Irving and Harden will eventually sign similar extensions that will guarantee both of them spots as stars alongside him. Irving’s Instagram activity might hint that he wants to stay in Brooklyn for as long as possible.

Irving posted a photo of him in Brooklyn’s black uniform on Instagram, with the caption “I’ll never take a god-given talent for granted…There is more to this journey” potentially hinting that the best of Irving in a Nets jersey is yet to come.

Will Kyrie Irving sign a contract with the Brooklyn Nets?

Irving, who joined the Nets after two seasons that failed to provide him with a championship in Boston, has played in just 74 games, due to both injury and a personal leave of absence. However, when he has been healthy, he’s been every bit the showstopper that he was with the Celtics and Cavaliers.

Last season, Irving averaged 26.9 points per game, the second-highest mark of his career, while setting a new career-high in field goal percentage (51%). This came with him also conceding the point guard role to Harden after the trade. Safe to say, the switch has worked out perfectly.

Of course, Irving was good for one or two kaw-dropping plays per game, as his ability to finish at the rim and make even the staunchest defenders trip over themselves in confusion remains a treat to watch. Hopefully, his body doesn’t fail him to the degree it did during the postseason this year.

While Irving’s deal is up after this season, the expectation is that he will re-sign, as he could earn a contract as expensive as four years and $182 million. If Joe Tsai is willing to go that deep into the luxury tax and everyone remains convinced of the project this franchise is building, expect Irving to link back up with Harden and Durant for the next few seasons.

While Mike D’Antoni and his system might be gone, Steve Nash will try his best to create a facsimile that the Nets can use to conduct their offense this year. Irving clearly thrived in that system as both a ball-handler and off-ball guard, so Neta fans shouldn’t expect a drop-off in production over the next few years.

In fact, without Spencer Dinwiddie and tons of veteran offensive talent on the bench, Irving might get even MORE chances to cook some poor defenders. If he gets locked in on a new contract that keeps him and Durant together, the Nets will be title contenders for a decade.

The Nets have plenty of haters due to their superteam status, and that crowd will constantly try to needle Irving by calling him a bit flaky and injury-prone. As long as Kyrie remains healthy, continues to produce at the same elite level he has shown the Nets he is capable of reaching, and helps Brooklyn win, the haters’ cries will fall on deaf ears.