If there鈥檚 anything that the Nets鈥 current situation shows, it鈥檚 that timing can make or break any potential deal. Back in June, they were all too ready to deal mercurial star Kyrie Irving, but at the right price 鈥 with the operative word 鈥渞ight鈥 evidently not carrying a common meaning to them and to prospective partners. For instance, they appeared willing to get a deal done with the Lakers had the latter been willing to part with two first-round draft choices along with former Most Valuable Player awardee Russell Westbrook. Because the purple and gold balked at the second pick, however, any possible arrangement was scuttled. Now, it seems they鈥檙e bent on keeping him, and to the point of telling it to all and sundry.
No doubt, the Nets鈥 decision to keep things the way they are stems from their inability to move all-world Kevin Durant at their desired price. Regardless of the source of the news, they鈥檙e asking for the moon, the stars, and the sun in exchange for their franchise player 鈥 never mind that he鈥檚 an old 34 who already went under the knife due to an Achilles鈥 tendon injury. True, he has retained the capacity to put up big numbers. On the other hand, the question isn鈥檛 his skill set; it鈥檚 whether he will be able to take to the court with the consistency would-be employers require of him.
And therein lies the rub. Because Durant鈥檚 projected exit has hit a snag, Irving鈥檚 own takes a back seat. At this point, it鈥檚 clear that the Nets would rather keep them both rather than accept pennies to the dollar for them. That said, they鈥檙e taking an enormous risk in so doing. It鈥檚 bad enough that they鈥檙e latching on to two erstwhile vital cogs who want nothing more than to leave them. The message it sends is that they鈥檙e desperate. After all, there is also the danger of settling for the status quo 鈥 of accepting less-than-stellar effort from their supposed stalwarts.
Indeed, it鈥檚 hard to blame the Nets for trying to make the most out of a mess that was not of their own doing. Then again, they need to be cognizant of diminishing returns; with both Durant and Irving wanting out, the market is effectively depressed. Also, who would want disgruntled leaders? In other words, they鈥檙e in for a long season no matter what听 they do; the only difference is how much faster they鈥檒l be able to move on.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since 大象传媒 introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
