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Report: Nets debating internally about signing Irving without Durant

Noah Graham / National Basketball Association / Getty

The Brooklyn Nets have been widely linked to Kyrie Irving ahead of the June 30 start of free agency, but a new report is suggesting the team may have some apprehension about signing the point guard.

The Nets may have qualms about inking Irving if he's not bringing the injured Kevin Durant with him, sources told the New York Post's Brian Lewis.

Durant's status as a free agent is now up in the air after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon during the NBA Finals.

Irving's perceived rift with the Boston Celtics could be scaring teams off, according to the report. After stating publicly last year he would re-sign with the Celtics, Irving walked it back over the course of the season and, according to multiple reports, now appears ready to leave Boston.

Brooklyn figures to have more than $50 million in salary-cap space this summer, but it could be even more - enough for two max player slots - if they let restricted free agent D'Angelo Russell sign an offer sheet with another team without matching.

Irving reportedly recently changed his representation to Roc Nation Sports - the agency founded by Jay-Z, who has multiple connections to the Nets organization. Durant's agent Rich Kleiman also maintains links to Roc Nation, where he used to be vice president.

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