Kyrie Irving is playing ... and playing well. At the top of his game actually. It’s more than his numbers. He is leading the Nets with Kevin Durant and Ben Simmons out and mentoring younger players on the roster. His clutch gene is on display every night, leading the NBA in fourth quarter points. Moreover, his last run-in with controversy seems to be in the past and his personal generosity is once again in the forefront.
But as Marc Stein pointed out Monday, Irving is still unsigned beyond June 30. He’s operating on an expiring $36.9 million deal and although the Nets can sign him to a four year, $200 million deal at any time this season or wait till free agency, there is, according to his agent, no appreciable movement on a new deal despite his desire to remain in black-and-white.