Report: Nike unlikely to extend shoe deal of notable former Celtic

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It remains to be seen whether or not Kyrie Irving will remain with the Brooklyn Nets long-term.

According to one report, Irving may soon be in the market for a new shoe contract, too.

Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN reported Friday that Nike is unlikely to extend Irving a signature shoe deal beyond the 2022-23 season due to uncertainties surrounding his future in the NBA.

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Nike, which has had a shoe deal with Irving dating back to 2014, didn't deny the status of his contract with the company, according to ESPN.

"We don't comment on contracts or rumors or speculation," a Nike spokesman told ESPN. "Kyrie remains a Nike athlete."

Last summer, Irving criticized the design of one of his shoes with Nike, ESPN said, later walking back the comments.

Irving, 30, has a $37 million player option with the Nets for the 2022-23 season. Earlier this week, Brooklyn GM Sean Marks said that the Nets want "selfless" players; Irving, who remains unvaccinated against COVID-19, was ineligible to play in Brooklyn's home games in New York City for the majority of the 2021-22 season due to mandates that were only lifted in March.

The Nets were swept by the Celtics, with whom Irving played two seasons from 2017-19, in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. Irving was involved in several incidents with fans at TD Garden over the first two games of the series, including but not limited to a series of middle fingers.

Despite the turmoil surrounding Irving of late, ESPN reported that it's likely Nike will continue to have some sort of Irving-related product.

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