It looks like it might be now or never time for the Brooklyn Nets, with both of their superstar players likely to leave the team before too long.
It has been reported throughout the offseason that both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were looking to leave the organisation after a rocky few seasons since they joined together in 2019. After Durant sat out the first season to recover from his Achilles tear, Irving was left struggling to lead the team on his own.
And now, it appears this season will be their last together, as ESPN pundit Stephen A. Smith explained he believes the pair will both opt against signing new deals when they're able to, and that Irving could leave next summer.
He said: "This is [Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving's] last season together. They're not re-signing with Brooklyn. Kyrie is trying to go to Los Angeles. That's what he was trying to do over the summer, that's what he's trying to do now."
The past summer has been plagued with speculation over their futures, with Durant making no secret of his desire to quit the franchise. At one point, he was believed to have told team owner Joe Tsai that he wanted both head coach Steve Nash and general manager Sean Marks fired.
In the end, a summit was held in which Durant was convinced to stay - or told he wouldn't be traded - and that both Marks and Nash would stay. Irving was also tipped to leave, having grown frustrated at life in Brooklyn.
Now, it seems the 2016 NBA champion is angling towards a move to the Lakers next summer.
If a move was to materialise, he would have a reunion with former team-mate LeBron James. The two won the NBA title together with the Cleveland Cavaliers before Irving was traded to the Boston Celtics.
While it seems unlikely either will be traded during the season, it's entirely possible Irving and Durant could both look to depart in the summer of 2023 and 2026, when their respective contracts end.
