"Maybe they can convince Kevin, maybe Kyrie is still on that roster" - NBA analyst on what the Nets can do to convince Kevin Durant to stay in Brooklyn

The Brooklyn Nets are in the middle of a huge crisis concerning the star players on their team. Both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are on the verge of leaving the franchise after just three seasons. The Nets are a team that has been in the headlines ever since they brought in these two players and James Harden.

The Nets brought in Irving, Durant, and Harden to compete for a championship, but the experiment failed spectacularly. Things appeared to be looking up when Kyrie Irving opted into his contract. However, just days later, Kevin Durant sent shockwaves across the NBA when he requested a trade away from the team.

The 33-year-old's decision has been criticized by many in the media. But Richard Jefferson gave a very rational take on what might have forced the two-time champion out of the Brooklyn Nets. Jefferson believes that one of the biggest reasons the Nets are in so much trouble is because of the drama surrounding the team. Speaking on the "NBA Today" show, the former player said:

"A re-occurring theme for Kevin Durant is, when it doesn't become much basketball, he doesn't really want much part of it, and I respect that, and so if the Nets can get back to in some way saying like,"Hey, we just wanna focus on playing basketball here and get rid of the distractions," then maybe they can convince Kevin Durant, maybe Kyrie is still on that roster."

"I don't know him personally, but in Oklahoma City, after they lost to Golden State, he decided to leave, right? Cause I think he wanted to just like, "Hey, I wanna play that brand of basketball where everyone moves." He gets there, and then after a little bit of time of the Draymond situation, he's like, "Okay, this isn't just basketball anymore. I wanna go someplace else.

"Now he goes to Brooklyn, and then, all of a sudden, it's not just basketball anymore, seems like there's a lot more."

Playing with the Brooklyn Nets, KD has put up some special performances. But he hasn't gotten enough support from his co-stars. When James Harden was a part of the Nets, he was just a shadow of his former self. On the other hand, Kyrie Irving was not available for the majority of the games last season because of the vaccine mandate.

Kevin Durant is entering his 16th year in the league and may only have a few more seasons left in him. His goal is to win a few more championships.

If the Nets can convince the forward that they want the same thing, he may decide to stay. However, there is no certainty as to where he may end up next season.

Were the Brooklyn Nets serious contenders with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving?

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Durant and Irving have not had a lot of opportunities to perform together. A lot of that has to do with Kyrie Irving's unavailability.

The team decided not to offer the seven-time All-Star a max extension. However, it has backfired.

The Nets with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant are serious title contenders. With Joe Harris and Ben Simmons returning, they have everything they need to succeed, but it all depends on how they proceed going forward.