Kyrie Irving is headed back to Brooklyn, at least for now, as the star guard was given permission to seek out a sign-and-trade opportunity but found very few takers outside of L.A. As such, Irving picked up his player option worth $36.5 million, which means he’s going to be playing out his final year with the Nets and then hitting free agency next summer — or, he’ll be traded anytime between now and the deadline.
Because this is Kyrie Irving, he had to issue a deep statement about how he was picking up his player option rather than declining it and taking the taxpayer mid-level in L.A. that’s worth just over $6 million.
Kyrie Irving: “Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow. I’ve made my decision to opt in. See you in the fall. A11even.” https://t.co/rpiS8YkSZI
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 27, 2022
Irving saying he’s the type to “dare to be different” certainly is backed up by his history, but it’s also objectively funny to say not turning down $30 million is somehow the rebellious approach here as opposed to what literally everyone else would do in this situation if presented with the same number of options as Irving — which are, by all accounts, his player option, the TPMLE in L.A., or a short-term extension for not-max money in Brooklyn. Naturally, Irving’s effort at being deep about all of this led to NBA Twitter turning his quote into a rather hilarious meme for the night.
"Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow" – me, about to order two appetizers as an entree
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) June 27, 2022
"Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow" pic.twitter.com/iw4KYGmMsz
— Cage (@ridiculouscage) June 27, 2022
Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/iRA1COyaBc
— jason concepcion (@netw3rk) June 27, 2022
[ordering hushpuppies and a cheesy gordita crunch at the combination long john silvers/taco bell]
Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow.
— Robby Kalland (@RKalland) June 27, 2022
Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/We1cVTuRg0
— cody oasen (@grodysauceman) June 28, 2022
“Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow.” – Joe Judge https://t.co/7eY9ESZRKK
— Cooper Adams (@CoopsFB) June 28, 2022
Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow pic.twitter.com/IeZZhsAUCl
— Dan Pizzuta (@DanPizzuta) June 27, 2022
“Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow.” pic.twitter.com/oWiPBnmnkL
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) June 27, 2022
https://twitter.com/JonAtTheBar/status/1541571265030414336
“Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow” pic.twitter.com/23cVPJD8aq
— ICU81MI (@rickyodonnell) June 27, 2022
Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/2MtCfwoDig
— THE UNCONTESTED PODCAST (@The_Uncontested) June 27, 2022
Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/H75sA9LihA
— Mark Deeks (@MarkDeeksNBA) June 27, 2022
“Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow.” pic.twitter.com/zqIYu7EZ40
— Josh Kail (@THATJoshKail) June 27, 2022
"Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow” https://t.co/AXye4rYCvZ
— 49ers Gab (@49ersGab) June 27, 2022
“Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow.” pic.twitter.com/r6SN82gTsV
— Moh (@LessIsMoh) June 27, 2022
Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow pic.twitter.com/oAAmOpAWxC
— Logan Rhoades (@LoganRhoades) June 27, 2022
