LeBron will probably try to orchestrate this: Kyrie opts-in, and sits out like Simmons, simultaneously getting KD to sit out too. They both demand to be dealt to the Lakers or say they’re not playing in 2022-2023. Nets do not have much leverage, so KD/Kyrie get dealt to LA Lakers for AD/Westbrook/whatever picks are left for LA to deal. 😬 then all the ring-chasers join the club for one last attempt by the King to win a title…
And it could just work…I mean, LA/LeBron need some shenanigans to get out of the Westbrick nightmare. Meanwhile, on the Nets side, having a frontcourt of AD/Simmons with a decent-ish supporting cast and a bunch of picks from LA, albeit years from now and second-rounders, is nothing to turn your nose up at. Plus Westbrook is still a big name and a frontcourt like that might be good for his game.