Kyrie Irving is in the final season of his contract with the Brooklyn Nets, and there is a real lack of clarity about his future. Irving, through his agent, has apparently made clear what his preference would be.

Irving’s agent Shetellia Irving said the guard wants a contract extension with the Nets, but so far the team has not set up any talks about a possible deal.

“Kyrie staying with the Nets? I have reached out to the Nets regarding this,” she said.

 “We have had no significant conversations. The desire is to make Brooklyn home, with the right type of extension, which means the ball is in the Nets’ court to communicate now if their desire is the same.”

Irving had sought a new contract last offseason, but the two sides were unable to agree on a new deal. The Nets may have some reservations, and some reports suggest that the Nets are undecided on Irving.

The New York Yankees have reached an agreement on a new, multi-year contract with first baseman Anthony Rizzo.

Anthony Rizzo truly enjoyed being a Yankee, and getting $20 million a year to stay — $17 million each of the next two years, plus a $6 million buyout on a 2025 option will keep him in the Bronx.

Rizzo, who was acquired by the Yankees from the Chicago Cubs prior to the 2021 trade deadline, was one of the team’s most consistent hitters during the postseason, leading all players with eight RBIs and a .432 on base percentage, as well as finishing second behind only Harrison Bader with eight total hits and two home runs, which tied Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.

Rizzo had previously signed a two-year, $32 million deal with the Yankees last offseason, which included an opt out after the first year, allowing him to test free agency this offseason.

The Parkland, Florida native hit a career best 32 home runs — a feat he accomplished three times (2014, 2016, 2017) with the Cubs — and 75 RBIs in 130 games.

There is clearly no fear from the Mets owner of the “Steve Cohen Tax.”

After reaching a stunning 12-year, $315 million contract agreement with star shortstop Carlos Correa, the Mets are fast approaching an unheard-of total payroll expense of $500 million. 

Yes, half a billion dollars — a very doable outlay for a man worth a reported $17 billion.

As things stand, after the Mets finalize salaries for arbitration-eligible players, they are estimated to have a $381.21 million payroll before taxes. 

The 2023 Mets are set to be charged $108.789 million in luxury tax, including $79.389 million on the fourth tax level — the “Steve Cohen Tax.”

That takes the Mets to just shy of $490 million in total payroll expense. And, the way things are going, Cohen may not be done trying to improve his 101-win team that was eliminated by the Padres in the wild-card round.

The previous highest payroll ever for luxury-tax purposes was the  2015 Dodgers at $341,486,133; their pre-tax payroll was $297,918,661. It’s possible the 2022 Dodgers or Mets top that as the figures for this year are not done yet.