Getty Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant
The Brooklyn Nets hit it massive during 2019 NBA free agency. While the news trickled out prior to 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, the future of both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant has now been confirmed. While the Nets’ signing of Irving came to light on Saturday, Durant has now opted to come along for the ride with his friend.
As ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported, the Nets agreed to terms on long-term contracts with Irving, Durant and veteran center DeAndre Jordan. In turn, this sets up one of the most impressive hauls in free agency history.
Brooklyn is making a clean sweep tonight: Brooklyn will sign Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan, league sources tell ESPN.
The news has taken over the start of NBA free agency and shakes up the Eastern Conference in a big way. We’re going to take a look at the Nets roster and starting lineup following the additions of the two top-tier free agents and one of the best rebounding big men in the league.
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Nets Roster & Starting Lineup With Kevin Durant & Kyrie Irving
*Notates expected starter
C: DeAndre Jordan*, Jarrett Allen
PF: Kevin Durant*, Rodions Kurucs
SF: Caris LeVert*, Allen Crabbe, Garrett Temple, Nic Claxton
SG: Spencer Dinwiddie*, Joe Harris, Dzanan Musa, Jaylen Hands
PG: Kyrie Irving*
It’s worth noting that D’Angelo Russell, Shabazz Napier, DeMarre Carroll, Ed Davis, Theo Pinson, Treveon Graham and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson are among the players not listed who were on the team last season. These players are either restricted or unrestricted free agents, and it’s likely that none of them will return to the Nets now.
Update: In the late hours Sunday, the Nets traded Russell, Napier and Graham to the Warriors. It was a sign-and-trade with Russell, as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski also reported right around the start of free agency that the Nets also signed former Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Garrett Temple. He’ll join Durant, Irving and Jordan on a two-year, $10 million deal.
Garrett Temple has agreed to a two-year, $10M deal with Brooklyn, agent Mark Bartelstein tells ESPN.
While the outlook beyond this current core remains a question mark, it was believed since early on in the offseason that the Nets had a legitimate chance to land both Durant and Irving. Apparently, both players opted to go in that direction in order to team up and play for the Nets. It’s a massive haul for the organization and means that D’Angelo Russell is now essentially a lock to play elsewhere in the 2019-20 season and beyond.
The fact that Jarrett Allen, Joe Harris and Allen Crabbe could all potentially come off the bench makes this group even more impressive.
Kevin Durant & Kyrie Irving’s Reported Contracts With Nets
The contract terms for both players came to light prior to free agency officially starting as well. As ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported, Durant will earn $164 million over four years while Irving is set to be paid $141 million over the same span.
Sources: Durant will sign a 4-year, $164M deal with the Nets; Irving will sign 4-years, $141M.
Hours after free agency was underway, Wojnarowski also reported the terms of Jordan’s contract, revealing it to be worth $40 million over four years. He also pointed out that both Durant and Irving are taking less than max deals in order to make sure Jordan could earn $10 million annually.
Free agents Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are taking less than the max to allow DeAndre Jordan to get the $10M annual salary with Brooklyn, league sources tell ESPN.
One interesting talking point will be Durant’s injury, as he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during with the Golden State Warriors during the 2019 NBA Playoffs. There’s a belief that he will miss the entire 2019-20 season and return the following year. Even if that is the case, the Nets are set with a strong roster from top-to-bottom and should still be in the mix to contend out of the Eastern Conference.
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Nets Roster & Starting Lineup With Kevin Durant & Kyrie Irving