KEY POINTS

  • Nets GM is upbeat about sealing contract extensions with Irving and Harden
  • The Nets' performance next season will play a factor in retaining Harden and Irving
  • Harden has yet to win an NBA title in his career

The Brooklyn Nets know that they can convince Kyrie Irving and James Harden to sign contract extensions beyond the coming 2021-22 NBA season.

Team general manager Sean Marks is optimistic although all that may hinge on their upcoming campaign.

Speaking at a news conference, Marks revealed that they have had very positive conversations with Irving and Harden.

However, he explained that it would still be best to settle these things up and close, the New York Post reported.

“Regarding the extension conversations, we’ve had very positive conversations with both those guys and whether it’s family members, [their] people, and so forth, I think it always helps to do these things in person,” Marks said. “We’re looking forward to sitting down with them over the course of the next week, two weeks, and furthering those discussions.”

Brooklyn Nets Kyrie Irving was fined $35,000 for violating the National Basketball Association's media access rules
Brooklyn Nets Kyrie Irving GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Sarah Stier

The Nets are looking to extend ties with Irving for another four years.

Irving is still owed $181.6 million, but Brooklyn intends to keep him. This is despite his history of not suiting up the past season due to a variety of problems.

On the other end is James Harden, someone who has proven himself and would be a target by rival NBA teams.

If Marks and the Nets can pull strings, the 32-year-old could earn $161.1 million over three years.

The Nets' chances are looking good considering their other superstar named Kevin Durant has already signed up until the 2025-26 season.

The former NBA MVP agreed to a $197.7 million that would keep him in Brooklyn for the next four years.

Although these are promising developments, the fact remains that the team’s success may factor in. All three were brought in to deliver an NBA title.

James Harden Kevin Durant
James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets and teammate Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors and Team LeBron watch on from the bench during the NBA All-Star game as part of the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend at Spectrum Center on February 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

They fell short last season, which is understandable due to different factors. However, the case is different for the 2021-22 season, where all three are expected to be more familiar playing with each other.

Unlike Durant and Irving, Harden has yet to savor winning an NBA title.

But if the Nets can replicate their run last season and reach the NBA Finals, that could be the telling factor to see Brooklyn’s "Big Three" stay on for years to come.

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