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The six worst free agent signings in Nets franchise history

By Elaine Blum

(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 28: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets walks up the court during the second quarter of the game against the New York Knicks at Barclays Center on January 28, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 28: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets walks up the court during the second quarter of the game against the New York Knicks at Barclays Center on January 28, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /

1. Kyrie Irving

When the Nets signed free agents Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in 2019, they were widely regarded as the winners of free agency and as serious title contenders. Things did not turn out well, though. Instead of competing for a title, the Nets became the drama hotspot of the NBA.
Durant was obviously involved in the drama, asking for the head coach and general manager to be fired, but to his credit, he showed up and performed on the court whenever he could. Irving, however, was right at the center of the tire fire that became the Irving-Durant-Harden era of the Nets’ franchise.

When Irving first signed his four-year $141 million contract, it seemed like a good deal for the Nets who got one of the best point guards and scorers in the game, but Irving did not deliver quite as much as he was expected to. It all started when he refused to get the Covid-19 vaccine and became illegible to play home games in Brooklyn. As a result, the Nets sent him home altogether until December 2021 when he came back as a part-time player.

After the supposed super team was swept in the 2022 playoffs, Irving was given the option to look into other contract opportunities. Eventually, he opted into the final year of his contract, but more drama was on its way. In October 2022, Irving tweeted a link to an antisemitic film, refused to apologize and was suspended again. After a while, he decided to face the music and did everything the NBA required him to do to get back on the court.

Next. Kevin Durant settling in well with the Phoenix Suns. dark

It seemed as if the Nets had found their groove and were finally attempting to live up to their potential until Irving requested a trade on February 3rd, 2023. That very trade request led to the team blowing up their roster after a tumultuous, failed experiment to build the ultimate title contender.

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