A vow of loyalty, a declaration of war, deserting lieutenants: in one week, Nets fans have leafed through, crossed, visited and revisited the catalog of emotions. They even identified some of them. From an association between Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant – left in check by the Celtics in the first round of the Playoffs – all that remains today is uncertainty and rumors in the hallway. An imaginary account of one of the most intense openings in the history of the Free Agency, experienced from the inside.
“We arrive around 3am, the press will not be there. You go to sleep for one or two hours, then we continue with the signing, wearing the jersey alongside LeBron, meeting with coach Darvin Ham: a big day in perspective.. With a simple nod, Kyrie Irving makes it clear to Sidney, his agent, that he wants to take advantage of his last hours of flight to sleep. He must gain strength before the battle. His signing to the Lakers will be one of the most publicized in NBA history.the obligations marketing therefore look exhausting. In Cleveland, LeBron James and him won THE title of the century. The 2013-14 Spurs are very nice, but level storytelling and context, there is no match. We could even spread this feat over the entire history of our sport. Finally, back to our flight. Slumped against the porthole, Kyrie sees in the distance another jet in the opposite direction of his: “It must be Russell Westbrook’s”, Sidney slips him, his head buried in the administrative documents. “I was told he was part of the exchange”.
– “He’s part of the exchange!?” But what are they sending with him? »
– “Austin Reaves, two second-round draft picks and the rights to Louis Labeyrie. »
– *eyes widen*
– “Yeah I know yeah. »
Monday, June 27, 11:37 p.m., plane by Kyrie Irving
– “Hey Kyrie, didn’t you want to sleep? »
– “I can’t do it… I wonder, how long have we been flying? »
– “Boarf, more or less six hours I would say. »
– ” Make a U-turn. »
– « Quoi… ? »
– ” MAKE A U-TURN ! »
Neither one, the jet leaves in the direction of Brooklyn. Sidney is stunned, the pilots do not understand and believe in a reversal in the negotiations. It is only upon landing on the tarmac from John F. Kennedy airport – around 5 a.m. – that Kyrie Irving confides in a ramp agent: “Hey, six hours of flying in the same direction, we almost fell”. Back at Barclays Center, the seven-time All-Star goes up to Sean Marks’ office to set his terms. About forty minutes later, the two men come out with the banana: their talks seem to have ended. We will learn in the morning that Kyrie Irving finally took his player option in Brooklyn. During the formalization with the media, Sean Marks – looking mischievous – leans towards his assistant and whispers in his ear: “You put it on a plane, no turns for several hours, it works every time”.
Tuesday, June 28, 3:15 a.m., Kyrie Irving’s plane
Later in the afternoon, the Nets meet at Sam Pesto’s – cousin of the inventor of pesto and friend of the owner – to organize a barbecue. Free agent in two days, Nicolas Claxton enjoys his last moments with his friends: “Guys, I loved this year by your side, wouldn’t we take a little picture between all the players? ». Hands on shoulders, hugs, redneck thoughts and Bruce Brown throwing the tractor song… the group lives surprisingly well. Only problem, Steve Nash is on the phone and Sam Pesto manages the barbecue. So there is no longer anyone to take the photo. Perceived as the daron of the group, Patty Mills sends a steak behind the head of Ben Simmons: “Hey Ben, go ahead, anyway we said a photo between “players”! ». Everyone giggles, the Aussie frowns and obeys. Once the snapshot is taken, Kyrie joins Sam who returns the chipos.
– “Hey Ky’, it seems that you stay in the corner? »
– “Yeah Sam. Only jerks don’t change their minds. »
– “You’re quite right. And then, what a lack of respect for this package offered by the Lakers. The world is really out of whack. »
– “I’m not telling you Samy. »
Tuesday afternoon barbecue in Central Park
Every Wednesday in Brooklyn is “cohesion output”. A beginning of tradition attempted by Kenny Atkinson when he arrived in 2016, finally perpetuated under the aegis of Steve Nash. But this season, the cohesion outing has been taboo since Blake Griffin headbutted James Harden in the middle of the Laser Game. We never had the reason for this incident, we just know that the bearded man asked for his trade in stride. This Wednesday, Steve Nash chooses to take his foals to karting. Trouble is, there’s only six karts for seven guys. Great Lord, Patty Mills retires: “I leave my place to other players”. Joe Harris, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Seth Curry and Nic Claxton therefore go to their cars. Ben Simmons is also heading there, but Patty Mills holds him back: “No no no, I said to the other ‘players’. You are going to be a race marshal”. Benny is disgusted. A week after serving as a football post, he will be a race commissioner.
Wednesday June 29, karting
Thursday, the start of the controversy. Upon awakening, Joe Harris receives a text from Kevin Durant asking him if he is “hot to go for a walk on the quays”. The back knows it: when KD offers to go “take a walk on the quays”, it is rarely a good omen. However, he prefers it to be him rather than Markieff Morris or a Lopez brother. See you at the end of the morning, therefore, for a high-stakes ride.
– “I’m leaving Joe…”
– ” Where ? »
– “Where the wind will take me Joe…”
– “Yeah where there are already rings and All-Stars. »
– “Pretty quick shortcut but it hits the spot. »
– “But you know that if you leave, the other idiot will do the same, huh?” »
– “Very possible yeah. But you put him on a plane for at least two hours and…”
– ” Yes I know. Sean told me. »
Thursday, June 30, Kevin Durant asks for his trade
Friday, continuation of the controversy. Upon waking, Joe Harris receives a text from Kyrie Irving asking if he is “hot to go for a walk on the quays”. The shooter already knows the song. All he has to do is put on some shorts and off he goes.
– “I’m leaving Joe…”
– “By any chance, does this have something to do with Kevin’s trade request?” »
– “Uh… well, no… why would that have a connection?” »
– “Boarf, no leave. »
– « … »
– « … »
– “Say, do you think they’re going to take my shirt off?” »
– “Yeah and Kessler Edwards’ too.” »
– « Jure ? »
– “Woah but what are you stupid. »
Friday, July 1, Kyrie Irving asks for his trade
Saturday afternoon, at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, Sean Marks scouts patients’ medical records. Although he spotted a small Mexican of 1m86, perfect to hold the lead, the respiratory assistance of the guy sticks with difficulty with the 82 games per season. It is therefore towards two silhouettes already known to NBA halls that the GM decides to turn.
– “Who did you tell me already?” TJ Warren and Edmond Sumner? »
– “Yes, those are the ones I want. »
– ” Both ? »
– ” Yes both. »
– “Room 407 and 205. I’m warning you, they haven’t moved for more than a year, it smells like a ballerina. »
Saturday July 2, Sean Marks scouts in the hospital
Sunday, day of the lord, but especially day of tampering. Old monkey that he is, Nick Nurse knows the habits of Adam Silver. On Sundays, the official look-alike of Olmecs in the mysterious cities of Gold pawn until very late. The Raptors therefore took the opportunity to organize a small golf session not far from Toronto, to which they invited… Kevin Durant. The morning went really well, and surprisingly, the Nets player won twelve games out of twelve.
Sunday July 3, Raptors tampering session
End of a colorful week in Brooklyn. We are still not fixed on the fate of the franchise, and even less on the workforce that it will display when it takes up arms again next October. See you in several seconds/hours/days/weeks for the outcome of these soap operas, hoping that after all the hay stirred, the end is worth the candle.