Kyrie exercising $37M option with Nets for 2022-23: 'See you in the fall'

Kyrie Irving will stay put after all.

The Brooklyn Nets star will remain with the franchise after choosing to opt into his $37-million player option for the 2022-23 season, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.

"Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow," Irving said in a statement, per Charania. "I've made my decision to opt in. See you in the fall. A11even."

Irving had until Wednesday to make a decision on his player option.

The 30-year-old later tweeted a follow-up to his decision.

The Nets had reportedly permitted Irving to speak with other teams to find sign-and-trade agreements in order to assist in his potential exit. However, the Los Angeles Lakers were believed to be the only team interested.

Irving, however, is said to be bypassing multiple potential opt-in-and-trade possibilities with his commitment to Brooklyn for next season, according to Charania.

The mercurial guard's future was thrown into disarray earlier this month when he was said to be undecided on whether to pick up the lucrative option. Talks between him and the front office then reportedly stagnated. With Irving seemingly having one foot out the door, doubts were then cast on his co-star Kevin Durant, who reportedly began to weigh his own future with the Nets.

By opting in, Brooklyn could possibly trade Irving and his expiring deal without his approval this offseason. However, the team can now also negotiate a long-term extension with him by June 2023, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.

Irving matched his career high with 27.4 points per game last season but was limited to just 29 contests. As a result of refusing to be vaccinated against COVID-19, Irving was unable to play at home at Barclays Center, and Nets general manager Sean Marks didn't allow him to be a part-time player, ruling him out for road games, too.

Marks and the franchise, however, relented from that stance in December. They permitted the seven-time All-Star to play on the road, where he made his season debut on Jan. 5. After New York City dropped its remaining vaccine mandates, Irving then made his home season debut on March 27.

Irving has averaged 27.1 points, six assists, 3.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and shot 40.6% from three in 103 games over three seasons in Brooklyn.