Charlotte Hornets to sign this 7-time Brooklyn Nets All-Star in free agency?

Apr 17, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) stares down Boston Celtics fans heckling from the stands before the start of the first round against the Boston Celtics for the 2022 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) stares down Boston Celtics fans heckling from the stands before the start of the first round against the Boston Celtics for the 2022 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 12, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) yells up court to teammates during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) yells up court to teammates during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

If Charlotte were to pursue Kyrie in free agency, they would have to let a number of their own free agents walk. This would likely include Miles Bridges. In the grand scheme of things, exchanging Bridges and a few supporting characters for a talent like Irving would be a no-brainer, but this is Kyrie we are talking about. He may hint that he wants to join Charlotte, see the Hornets clear the way for him to come, and then simply change his mind.

This would devastate the Hornets as a franchise. For the sheer unknown factor of Kyrie being Kyrie at any given moment, Charlotte should stay far, far away from the seven-time All-Star this offseason. He may opt out of his player option and be a tempting target, but there are too many variables at play for the Hornets to seriously pursue him.