Sean Marks is the general manager of the Nets. There is a time and a place.
If Irving wants a future with the Nets, he will have to show that he is more than a basketball player.
Sean Marks made it clear that Irving will have to prove that he is available to his team, a commitment that wasn't there this season.
Marks said talks about a potential contract extension this summer will need to include an evaluation of his dedication to play if he is injured.
Marks said that those are going to be discussions.
During a disappointing season that saw the Nets finish seventh in the Eastern Conference and get swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA playoffs, the Nets rarely had that.
They did not want Irving to be a part-time player so they began the season without him. Marks wouldn't second-guess the decision to bring him back in December to play road games only, with Irving unable to play in New York because of the city's mandate requiring vaccinations.
The Nets had to win a play-in game to get into the playoffs, but he was available for all games in late March.
Irving is eligible for an extension this summer and said he sees himself remaining in Brooklyn alongside Kevin Durant, who signed an extension last summer.
Marks said they haven't had any contract talks with Irving, but the Nets know what they want.
Marks said that they were looking for guys that wanted to come in and be part of something bigger than themselves.
Irving has an option for almost $37 million next season, but could seek an extension that would pay him an additional $185 million over four years. Irving averaged 27.4 points last season, which would have ranked eighth in the league.
He missed 29 games in the second year in a row because he wasn't hurt. Irving took a leave of absence from the team for personal reasons and missed nine games.
Marks acknowledged that Irving's absences put an extra burden on Durant. He said the Nets need to discuss their players intentions after this season. Irving said it was a personal choice not to get vaccine.
What drives them? Do they want to be a part of this? Marks asked if they were motivated by something that was not good for the whole team.
Marks said that Ben Simmons is feeling better after having back surgery last week. The Nets acquired Simmons from Philadelphia in February.
The Nets would have three potential stars who could quickly get them to where they thought they could be this season. Marks did not commit to Irving being part of the future, but he did say that Irving has his own decisions to make.
He said he hasn't talked to the All-Star forward about his feelings about a long-term partnership with Irving. The two friends came to Brooklyn together.
Marks said he expects to talk to the owners and the coach about a potential free agent.
Marks said that it wasn't him going to Kevin and saying "Do you want this person"? Do you want that person? I don't think it is fair to place that on Kevin.
Is he surprised by anything? He will know ahead of time what we are doing, what we plan on doing with, to be honest with the entire roster.
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