Kyrie plans to re-sign with Nets: 'No way I can leave' Durant

Kyrie Irving says he doesn't intend on leaving the Brooklyn Nets this summer in part because he wants to continue playing with Kevin Durant.

"It has always been about being comfortable loving where I'm at, and I love it here," Irving told reporters Saturday, including the New York Post's Brian Lewis. "Once that summertime hits, I know that we'll have some conversations, but there's no way I can leave my man seven (Durant) anywhere."

Durant and Irving joined the Nets as free agents in July 2019. Durant agreed to a four-year, $198-million contract extension with Brooklyn last offseason. However, Irving opted against signing a new four-year, $187-million max deal the previous summer.

The pair have played in only 35 games together. Durant sat out his first season in Brooklyn while rehabbing his torn Achilles and missed other significant stretches due to injuries. New York City's private vaccination mandate has limited Irving to 20 appearances this campaign, but the rule no longer extends to unvaccinated athletes as of March 23.

Irving has been brilliant in the 20 games he's played, averaging 28.5 points, 5.5 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals. The seven-time All-Star is also producing an impressive 49/44/91 shooting line and the second-highest effective field-goal percentage of his career at 57.4%.

Brooklyn (38-35) is eighth in the Eastern Conference with nine regular-season games remaining.