There are a number of NBA organisations with issues this season, but the Brooklyn Nets have been riddled with troubles for some time, and it doesn't look like easing up anytime soon.
The Nets have suspended Kyrie Irving after he shared a link to an antisemitic video on his social media, and then refused to apologise. Irving has since apologised, but he has been suspended without pay and been given a list of tasks he must complete before he is allowed to return to the squad.
Ben Simmons is also out once again with injury, which leaves just Kevin Durant to carry the side again - a job he's already been doing this season. Durant already requested to leave ahead of the new season, and NBA executives expect the star to depart at the first given opportunity following the continued mess at the Nets.
A total of 11 NBA executives spoke anonymously to The Athletic, and there was a very worrying theme when discussing the Nets, Durant and Irving. Irving is a fantastic basketball player, and is immensely talented.
However, he's almost missed more games than he has played for the Nets since trading, as a series of off the court antics continue to cause disruption. His lack of vaccination played a huge part, and a storm followed online as Irving doubled down on his right to free speech.
And it's cost him again, as he defended his decision to tweet antisemitic material, before later deleting his words and retracting those statements. Irving has the talent, but the majority of the NBA executives said they wouldn't go anywhere near him if given a trade opportunity, with one even suggesting Durant might want to leave the Nets - just as he did in the summer when he demanded, unsuccessfully, to be traded.
So that leaves the Nets in a tricky spot with Irving, as not even they can play him at this moment in time, and it doesn't look like they'll be able to offload him either. But even with that, the situation with Durant is the more worrying factor.
Durant would be snapped up by most of the league, as although he has also had his controversies, they have been largely basketball related, and not off the court. Durant have a 'me or them' ultimatum when discussing his Nets future, and now head coach Steve Nash has been given the sack after all.
With many executives seeing a broken situation at the Nets, the general feeling is that they need to trade Durant anyway, in order to begin a rebuild and acquire future picks. It's going to take some time, but the earlier they start, the better.
Durant is one of the finest players in the NBA, let alone just at the Nets. But due to the situation they have found themselves in, their best option may be to sacrifice their best player for the benefit of the team in the future.
A new young star and a bunch of exciting additions may be what they need to make the grass greener over at the Nets. But regardless of their preference, it's likely Durant could push for a move away, like he tried to do this summer.
