Kyrie Irving Rumors: Nets Feeling 'No Pressure' in Contract Extension Negotiations

Kyrie Irving is looking for a contract extension with the Brooklyn Nets, but the team has been dragging its feet in talks, according to NBA reporter Marc Stein (h/t Hoops Hype).

According to Stein, the Nets believe "they are under no pressure to move swiftly on the extension front when Irving would likely need their help via sign-and-trade to relocate in the offseason to any other team he likes."

The 30-year-old is set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but his camp wants to lock down a new deal.

"The desire is to make Brooklyn home, with the right type of extension, which means the ball is in the Nets' court to communicate now if their desire is the same," Irving's agent Shetellia Irving told Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes.

Irving tested the market last offseason before eventually exercising his $36.5 million player option to remain with the team. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported at the time that the Los Angeles Lakers were the only team pursuing the point guard.

The 30-year-old said at the Nets Media Day that he was close to leaving, but there were "not many" options for him.

The questions continued earlier this season when he was suspended by the team for failing to apologise for posting links to an antisemitic film on social media and declining to "unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs."

Irving has since returned to the team and made a major impact on the court, averaging 27.3 points, 5.3 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game. He was named an All-Star starter and is a key reason the squad is currently fourth in the Eastern Conference.

Retaining the star point guard alongside Kevin Durant, who has three years remaining on his contract, would help Brooklyn remain a title contender for an extended window.

The limited outside interest still removes the urgency for the Nets to sign a new deal.

Several NBA executives projected Irving will sign a short extension to remain with Brooklyn, according to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype.

The Nets could wait to see Irving's market develop and either sign a favorable deal with the guard or acquire useful assets in a sign-and-trade.