Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving has been rumored to be discontent with head coach Steve Nash and general manager Sean Marks, but his camp is hoping to dispel that notion.
“I am not sure where this narrative is coming from, but Kyrie does not hate Steve nor Sean. That’s not a part of his being nor how he represents himself in the world. He’s about peace, love and acceptance,” his agent and stepmother Shetallia Riley Irving told Josh Kosman and Brian Lewis of the New York Post.
On Monday, Mark W. Sanchez and Kosman reported that a source said Irving “hates these guys. He feels that Nash is terrible and Marks is bad.” Meanwhile, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Kevin Durant reiterated his trade request to Nets owner Joe Tsai and said Tsai must choose between him and the Marks-Nash tandem.
Amid the reports of unhappiness from Brooklyn’s two stars, Tsai took to Twitter on Monday night to express his confidence in Nash and Marks, writing, “Our front office and coaching staff have my support. We will make decisions in the best interest of the Brooklyn Nets.”
Irving picked up his $36.5 million player option for next season in June. A couple of days later, Durant submitted his trade request despite entering the first year of a four-year, $194.2 million extension. There has been speculation that Irving is also hoping to be traded this offseason after Brooklyn refused to offer him a long-term deal.
Despite Durant and Irving’s desires to be traded, the Nets have not found a deal enticing enough to part ways with the two stars. Charania noted that Brooklyn has a particularly high asking price for Durant, noting the team has “made clear privately that they will take every last asset from a team that trades for” the 12-time All-Star.
As training camp approaches, there isn’t a clear resolution to the situation facing the Nets. There remains a possibility that Durant and Irving will not be in attendance while the team starts preparing for the 2022-23 season.
