How the Nets become the NBA’s biggest circus from a championship-bound superteam

The Nets were the biggest beneficiaries of NBA free agency in July 2019, signing Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant to fill cap space.

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Even though Durant would miss the entire 2019-20 season while rehabbing from an Achilles injury, the free agency bonanza had cemented the Nets as future title contenders.

The Nets appoint Steve Nash, a first-time head coach, in September 2020. As a consultant for the Warriors, Nash collaborated closely with Durant.

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The Nets acquire James Harden in a sensational trade in January 2021, forming the NBA’s newest and most dazzling superteam.

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In a convoluted four-team transaction, the Nets shipped out Jarrett Allen, Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert, and Taurean Prince, along with three first-round picks and three pick swaps.

After acquiring Harden, the Nets conclude the 2020-21 regular season with a record of 41-18 and the top offense in the NBA. In the first round of the playoffs, they defeated the Boston Celtics in five games to set up a second-round showdown with the Milwaukee Bucks.

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James Harden exits Game 1 against the Bucks on June 5, 2021 due to a hamstring injury. He then missed Games 2, 3, and 4.

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Kyrie Irving sprains his ankle in Game 4 against the Bucks on June 13, 2021, which Milwaukee wins to tie the series at 2-2.

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The Nets will not let Irving to play or practice until he receives a vaccination on October 12, 2021.

Kyrie Irving’s refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccination has complicated the Nets’ season.

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Irving was already ineligible to participate in home games due to vaccination requirements. The Nets went a step further, stating that he would not be permitted to play on the road unless he could participate in every game.

The Nets will not permit Kyrie Irving to play unless his immunization status improves.

Kyrie Irving is permitted to return to the Nets as a part-time player and play in road games on December 17, 2021.

In the last three seasons, Kyrie Irving has missed over fifty percent of the Nets’ games.

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The choice was influenced in part by a COVID wave that struck the squad. Irving quickly contracted COVID. On January 5, he played his first game of the season.

On January 15, 2022, Kevin Durant suffers an MCL sprain. Without Durant, the Nets lost their next 12 games, going 2-10.

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During the losing skid, Harden’s play on the court grew clearly disinterested.

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Harden averaged 21 points per game in those 12 contests, but he shot just 38% from the field, 29% from deep, and committed over five turnovers per game on average. Meanwhile, rumors circulated that he was unhappy in Brooklyn and eager to rejoin with Sixers general manager Daryl Morey.

There is mounting speculation that the 76ers may go all-in on James Harden this offseason.

The Nets trade James Harden to the 76ers on February 10, 2022 for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, and two first-round draft picks.

The players James Harden and Kyrie Irving.

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Faced with the possibility of losing Harden for nothing in free agency, the Nets ultimately disbanded their Big Three after just 16 games together during the regular season.

According to reports, Harden was unhappy with Irving’s absence and believed he was carrying too much of the Nets’ weight.

James Harden apparently discovered that playing for the Nets wasn’t what he had hoped for, leading to his desire to leave.

Simmons reportedly experienced a setback in March 2022 while preparing for his Nets debut, delaying his return to the floor.

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Ben Simmons is ruled out of Game 4 of the playoffs on April 24, 2022 due to another injury.

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Simmons was anticipated to play in Game 4 of the Nets’ first-round series after missing the first three games. However, he was ruled out due to a back injury. ESPN said that Simmons’ setback was met with “surprise and dismay.” Simmons later admitted that mental health issues contributed to his inability to return to the court.

Also on April 24, 2022, the Nets are swept by the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.

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Irving stated after the game that he and Durant are co-managers of the franchise.

Kyrie Irving and the Nets reached an impasse over his contract on June 20, 2022.

Kyrie Irving faces the Boston Celtics in the 2022 NBA Playoffs.

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Irving has a player option for $36 million for the 2022-23 season. According to reports, he desired a contract extension, but the Nets refused to provide him one. Even though they later granted Irving permission to pursue a sign-and-trade, he had few suitors and no one who could negotiate one on his behalf. Irving elected to return to Brooklyn per his contract.

Kevin Durant wants a trade from the Nets on June 30.

Kevin Durant.

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Durant was scheduled to begin a four-year, $196 million pact with the Nets beginning in 2022-23.

The request was seen as one of the most significant in NBA free agency: a 33-year-old candidate for Most Valuable Player with four years remaining on his deal.

Kevin Durant demands that the Nets transfer him or dismiss Steve Nash and general manager Sean Marks on August 8.

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Joe Tsai, owner of the Nets, issued a statement in support of Nash and Marks.

After months of trade rumors and speculation, the Nets and Durant decided to remain together on August 23.

Kevin Durant will be the highlight of this year’s NBA play-in competition.

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Given Durant’s ability and contract, it was tough for teams to offer the Nets the return they desired for the All-Star forward.

Kyrie Irving posts a video of Alex Jones discussing secret groups that would unleash a plague on Instagram on September 15.

—Tommy Beer on Twitter

September 15, 2022

Kyrie Irving posts a link to the anti-Semitic film “Hebrews to Negroes” on his Twitter and Instagram on October 29.

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The film contains numerous anti-Semitic stereotypes and fabricated quotations, including one claimed to Adolf Hitler.

When asked during a news conference about sharing the video, Irving said he had viewed it but rejected the notion that he promoted the film by doing so and minimized his impact (while also saying he is influential in his community). After a contentious interaction with reporters, Irving suddenly halted the news conference.

Amidst a 2-6 start, the Nets and Nash agreed to separate ways on November 1.

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Within an hour of Nash’s resignation on November 1, ESPN and The Athletic claim that Ime Udoka is poised to become the next head coach of the Nets.

Ime Udoka.

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In September of last year, Udoka was suspended for one year for having an inappropriate relationship with a Celtics staff member.

Marks denied that there was an official agreement with Udoka during a press conference.

Marks stated on November 1 at the same press conference that the Nets were giving Irving time to cool down before he spoke to media again. Marks stated that they did not wish to cause a “fuss.”

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