Kyrie Irving has opened up about his controversial time with the Brooklyn Nets, sharing deep reflections on what went wrong during the superteam era with Kevin Durant and James Harden.
Speaking recently on Twitch, Irving explained why things didn’t go as planned, admitted his own mistakes, and revealed behind-the-scenes issues with the franchise.
The trio of Irving, Durant and Harden were once expected to bring championships to Brooklyn. But the era ended with just one playoff series win and a lot of disappointment.
Irving: “I Didn’t Do My Homework”
Kyrie now admits he rushed into signing with the Nets in 2019 without really knowing the team’s management. He revealed that he never even met with the general manager or assistant GM before committing.
“I should’ve taken more time to figure out what’s best for me,” Irving said. “I went in blind, trusting the plan Kevin (Durant) and I had.”
Irving said his decision was mostly based on staying loyal to Durant, who was recovering from a torn Achilles at the time. “I’m not the type to leave my friend after an injury,” he said. “I waited for him to get healthy.”
“Brooklyn Didn’t Really Want Me”
Irving was very honest about feeling unwanted by the Nets. “Did they want me? Maybe. But they really wanted K.D.,” he said. He claimed head coach Kenny Atkinson and others in the organization were never fully on board with him.
“It wasn’t personal, it was just business,” Kyrie added. “I learned later that they weren’t really messing with me like that.”
Irving now wishes he had asked more questions about the team’s vision and front office before signing. “I was immature back then. I was 27, excited, going home, thinking things would be perfect,” he said.
Durant and Kyrie Were a Package Deal
Kyrie and KD had planned their team-up since the 2016 Olympics, along with DeAndre Jordan. The Nets weren’t their dream destination, but they agreed to join forces in Brooklyn to chase a title. Unfortunately, injuries, off-court drama, and trades derailed everything.
James Harden eventually left for the 76ers, Irving requested a trade, and Durant also moved on. The short-lived “superteam” era ended with more questions than success.
Irving’s Vaccine Controversy Made Things Worse
Irving’s refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine in 2021 led to a suspension, and he says that was the moment he wanted out.
“I told them to release me,” Kyrie revealed. “But they didn’t want to let me go because of the money involved.”
The Nets held on, and eventually traded Irving to the Dallas Mavericks — one of his preferred destinations.
Future with the Mavericks and Injury Recovery
Irving helped the Mavericks reach the 2024 NBA Finals, but an ACL injury in March cut his season short. The team’s shocking decision to trade Luka Doncic after the Finals loss changed everything. Irving is now rehabbing his knee and will miss most of the upcoming season.
When he returns, he’ll be playing with Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, and No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg — a fresh start with plenty of potential.
Kyrie Irving’s time with the Brooklyn Nets was full of big dreams, but things didn’t go according to plan. From signing without fully knowing the team, to vaccine drama and locker room disconnects, Irving now looks back with regret.
But in the end, everyone moved on — Irving is in Dallas, Durant is in Phoenix, and the Nets are rebuilding with draft picks. Kyrie hopes to come back strong from injury, and this time, on his own terms.
