Kyrie Irving: Nets handed major breakthrough in huge blow to Lakers and Knicks

Brooklyn were one of a few surprise packages this season, reaching the Playoffs with players such as D’Angelo Russell, Spencer Dinwiddie, Chris LeVert and Jarrett Allen establishing themselves as top level NBA stars.

But more impressive for the franchise is the fact they’ve been able to enjoy success while also preparing for the future.

And after agreeing a trade to send Allen Crabbe, as well as a pair of first-round draft picks, to the Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn have now created enough cap space for two max salary slots this offseason.

That will put them at the front of the queue to acquire players such as Irving and Durant.

Both players have been heavily linked with joining the New York Knicks, while the Los Angeles Lakers have also been touted as a possible destination.

But it seems the Nets are preparing to go all in on acquiring Irving in the summer, with the hope of teaming him with another superstar.

And according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Boston Celtics star is strongly considering joining Brooklyn this summer.

“Brooklyn will hope that Kyrie Irving will be the pied piper to go recruit another star free agent – namely Kevin Durant – to join him in Brooklyn,” Wojnarowski said on ESPN’s Get Up!

“But it takes a level of confidence three weeks out from free agency to give up two first round picks to clear the cap space you need to have two max spots.

“But Kyrie Irving is that target and there is no question I’m told that Kyrie Irving has a serious interest in the Brooklyn Nets in free agency.”

And on whether the Nets could beat the Knicks to signing both Irving and Durant, Wojnaworski insists there is a strong chance.

“It’s a possibility. They are in there. Brooklyn is there with New York,” he added.

“This has been New York’s plan all along and this has been Brooklyn’s, but New York, because I think there is a sense that Kevin Durant had a level of intrigue with the Knicks, that they were going to be — if Kevin Durant left Golden State — the Knicks would be the frontrunners for Durant.

“But if Durant wants to play with Kyrie Irving in free agency, then Brooklyn absolutely is more than a viable option.

“The Clippers are in there I think more for KD individually, but if he wants to play with Kyrie in free agency, he may have to do it in Brooklyn.

“But his focus right now — Kyrie Irving — if he leaves Boston, is the Brooklyn Nets.”

source: express.co.uk