Nothin' But Nets
Fansided

Kenny Smith has surprising comments about possible Kyrie Irving return

By Jordanna Clark

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 05: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets acknowledges the fans prior to Game One of the Second Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks at Barclays Center on June 05, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 05: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets acknowledges the fans prior to Game One of the Second Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks at Barclays Center on June 05, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /
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Right now, it feels like Kyrie Irving may never play another game for the Brooklyn Nets. Ever since Sean Marks and the Nets made the statement that said that Irving isn’t allowed to be a part-time player, the point guard has stayed out of the public eye for the most part.

Steve Nash said on Monday that the team isn’t sitting around waiting for Irving to return, although if he did, Brooklyn would be “ecstatic.” The head coach keeps in contact with Irving, but the two don’t discuss basketball. Irving is clearly in no rush to return to the court, which makes it seem like the possibility of him returning to the Nets anytime soon is slim.

However, on Tuesday ahead of Brooklyn’s game against Dallas, TNT analyst Kenny Smith said that he believes that Irving is going to play this year. And when asked further about which team Irving is going to be playing with, Smith said the Nets.

Could Smith’s hunch about Irving be correct? Brooklyn fans sure do hope so.

Smith believes that Kyrie Irving will play for the Brooklyn Nets this year.

Smith said that he’s not sure why he thinks that Irving will play with the Nets this season, but it’s still an interesting comment from someone that once played in the NBA.

If Smith ends up being right, he should look into a career as a fortune-teller. It could all boil down to wishful thinking, which is what Brooklyn has felt all year. The Nets are in first place in the East without Irving, but Brooklyn would be in an even better spot with its star point guard.

Both James Harden and Kevin Durant would benefit from a potential Irving return. Harden would no longer have to struggle at the point, and Durant wouldn’t have to put on otherworldly performances every other night to keep Brooklyn in the contender conversation.

Maybe Smith knows something that the rest of us don’t and he was just dropping a little bit of insight. Or maybe he truly has no idea. If Irving plays again for the Nets this year, Smith needs to go straight to the gas station and buy a lottery ticket.

We’re keeping our fingers crossed.