Harden, Irving have ‘optimistic’ contract talks with Nets

FILE – Kyrie Irving #11 and James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets whereas enjoying the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Area on February 09, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. Gregory Shamus/Getty Photos/AFP

The Brooklyn Nets have had “optimistic” contract extension talks with James Harden and Kyrie Irving because the workforce goals to construct a championship-winning roster, basic supervisor Sean Marks mentioned Tuesday.

Harden and Irving are reportedly near agreeing phrases on new long-term offers which might see each gamers stay in Brooklyn for 3 and 4 extra seasons respectively.

“We’ve had very optimistic conversations with each of these guys,” Marks mentioned. “We’re trying ahead to sitting down with them over the subsequent two weeks and furthering these discussions.

“These guys know precisely how we really feel and I believe they’ve been vocal about desirous to be a part of this and constructing this collectively. I believe we’ve acquired a possibility to do one thing particular right here for the foreseeable future.”

Irving and Harden kind a part of Brooklyn’s “large three” together with Kevin Durant, however harm issues final season meant all three gamers had been hardly ever match to play collectively on the similar time.

Each Irving and Harden missed essential playoff video games towards the Milwaukee Bucks within the Jap Convention semi-finals final season because the Nets had been eradicated in seven video games.

Marks mentioned each Harden and Irving had been “able to go” for the beginning of the 2021-2022 season, which suggestions off subsequent month.

“From what we’ve seen they give the impression of being nice,” Marks mentioned. “Our efficiency workforce has been with them, our teaching workers has been with them, spending appreciable time with them and might attest that they’re in nice spirits and are able to go like the remainder of the workforce.

“Will probably be a piece in progress as to how we proceed with all of our guys, not simply James and Kyrie. It’s a marathon not a dash, and we’re making an attempt to avoid wasting these guys from themselves half the time. However they really feel good, they give the impression of being nice, in order that’s a optimistic.”

Marks mentioned the Nets in the meantime would begin the season with “real looking” championship aspirations.

“Our aim is to be the final workforce standing,” he mentioned. “There’s most likely six, eight or 10 groups which have the identical aim and a sensible one.

“For us it’s about proudly owning that, and never shying away from that. We need to do every thing we presumably can to attempt to accomplish that.”

The Nets have bolstered their roster with the addition of veteran guard Patty Mills, in addition to James Johnson and Paul Millsap.

“We added 3 veterans with excessive IQ and excessive character and that’s all the time a very optimistic factor for a training workers,” Nets coach Steve Nash mentioned. “We’re out to win a championship, we personal that.”

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