
And then, the house of cards fell apart
But after a disappointing season, the Brooklyn Nets quickly learned that NBA stars love to be paid, love to be featured in big markets, but love to win most of all. After a very trying and disappointing season, rumors report that Kyrie Irving wants to be signed-and-traded:
Sources: Kyrie Irving has requested and received permission from the Nets to find sign-and-trade offers from other teams. Kevin Durant still hasn't spoken to Nets front office. Russell Westbrook to Brooklyn remains unlikely. More for @NYDNSports https://t.co/SQ0hZxL4fm
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) June 27, 2022
That news unto itself was not earth shattering. The Nets could rebuild around Kevin Durant and rebound. Oh, but the forces that drew Irving and Durant to the Nets are gone. And with it, now the team must try to remain upright while the very foundation of their roster for years to come is shaking apart under their feet.
Kevin Durant has requested a trade out of Brooklyn, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022
Boom. There it is.
Nets trying to salvage their self-respect
And so, the now tumbling Brooklyn Nets find themselves in a near panic mode. Their future is growing darker by the minute, and the only team who will benefit from their collapse is the Houston Rockets:
2023 Nets first round pick swap
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 23, 2022
2024 Nets first round pick
2025 Nets first round pick swap
2026 Nets first round pick
2027 Nets first round pick swap
Rockets fans right now: pic.twitter.com/Qx815HNBFo
With the way the current NBA is structured, teams do not hold as much power over players as players hold over teams. The Brooklyn Nets are in real turmoil right now, and have neither the time nor the forewarning to have made plans to react to the sudden and very dramatic changes.