Summary
The Superstar Era (2019-2023) was the most ambitious and ultimately catastrophic chapter in Brooklyn Nets history. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving chose Brooklyn in the 2019 free agency, the Nets traded for James Harden in January 2021, and for a brief moment the franchise had the most talented roster in the NBA. It ended with zero conference finals appearances, one playoff series win, and the complete dissolution of the roster — but the exit strategy produced the greatest asset haul in NBA history, which now powers the rebuild.
Key Insights
- KD and Kyrie signed as free agents in July 2019 — Brooklyn's biggest free agency coup ever
- James Harden traded to Brooklyn in January 2021 for a massive package (including picks that became part of the rebuild haul)
- The Big Three played only 16 games together due to injuries, suspensions, and drama
- Playoff results: first-round exit (2021 — lost to MIL in 7 after KD's iconic Game 7), swept by BOS (2022), no playoffs (2023)
- Kyrie's vaccine refusal (2021-22) made him a part-time player and fractured the team
- Kyrie's antisemitic content suspension (November 2022) was the final straw
- Harden traded to PHI (Feb 2022), Kyrie traded to DAL (Feb 2023), KD traded to PHX (Feb 2023)
Details
The Dream (2019)
When KD and Kyrie chose Brooklyn over the Knicks in July 2019, it validated the franchise's existence. The Nets — long the little brother of New York basketball — had landed two of the top 15 players in the world. KD was recovering from an Achilles tear, but the future looked unlimited.
The Gamble (January 2021)
With KD healthy and Kyrie playing part-time (refusing the COVID vaccine meant he couldn't play home games in NYC), the Nets traded a massive package to Houston for James Harden. The Big Three was assembled — three of the most gifted offensive players in NBA history on one roster.
The 16 Games
The Big Three played exactly 16 games together. Injuries, rest days, and Kyrie's availability issues meant the full trio was almost never on the court simultaneously. When they were, they were devastating — but 16 games is not enough to build chemistry, let alone win a championship.
The Collapse
- 2021 Playoffs: KD carried the Nets to a Game 7 vs. Milwaukee, hitting an all-time iconic shot. But his shoe was on the three-point line — Bucks won, and the Nets' best chance at a title evaporated by inches.
- 2021-22: Kyrie refused the COVID vaccine, played only home games initially, then was traded. Harden grew frustrated and forced a trade to Philly. The Big Three was over before it ever really started.
- 2022 Playoffs: Swept by Boston in the first round. The end was near.
- 2022-23: Kyrie's antisemitic content suspension (8 games) was the final embarrassment. KD requested a trade, rescinded it, then was traded anyway in February 2023.
The Silver Lining
The superstar era failed on the court but succeeded in one crucial way: the exit. Sean Marks extracted extraordinary value from every departure:
- James Harden Trade: Ben Simmons (bust), but also the Rockets pick → Danny Wolf
- Kyrie Irving Trade: 2029 Dallas first, Dorian Finney-Smith (later flipped)
- Kevin Durant Trade Tree: Mikal Bridges → Knicks picks, Cam Johnson → MPJ + 2032 Denver pick, 4 Suns firsts
The superstar era's true legacy is the rebuild it funded.
Related
Open Questions
- Was the superstar gamble the right move, even though it failed?
- Would the Big Three have won a title if Kyrie had gotten vaccinated?
- Is the KD shoe-on-the-line Game 7 moment the biggest "what if" in Nets history?