Kyrie Irving has put the Brooklyn Nets in a difficult and unique position.
By not getting a COVID-19 vaccine, he remains ineligible to play during Nets home games.
However, a ruling came down that he could practice and of course these mandates do not apply on the road outside of New York City.
So would the Nets tolerate a part-time player?
GM Sean Marks released a statement laying down the law on the status of Irving.
Nets GM Sean Marks statement on Brooklyn's decision to sit Kyrie Irving until he fulfills NYC vaccination rules: pic.twitter.com/4LBIQXt7al
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 12, 2021
So Irving either needs to get the vaccine or prepare to sit out the entire season.
And who knows how long the mandate will remain in effect?
A Final Decision
The Nets had to come together as an organization and reach some sort of conclusion on Irving.
It was not fair to him or his teammates to leave his status up in the air with the season just a week away.
This decision may be frustrating, but it does allow the team to move forward with those who are vaccinated and eligible to play.
The Nets may even want to scour the trade market if teams out there believe Irving would show up and want to play.
Only a few cities have these vaccine mandates in place for large indoor gatherings.
If Irving is never going to get the vaccine, a trade may be his only option to play again.
Nets Still In Good Shape
Banishing Irving from the team puts the focus on Kevin Durant and James Harden to run the show.
GM Sean Marks reiterated that Kyrie Irving will lose salary for home games he missed while ineligible to play.
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) October 12, 2021
Those two together are more than capable of leading a team to a championship, with or without Irving.
And it is entirely possible Irving does get a vaccine so he can rejoin his teammates.
It may be a situation like with Andrew Wiggins, where the player gets the vaccine late but openly says it was just to play again.
However, Irving is a unique individual and it is believable that he sticks to his beliefs and sits out the entire season.
He already has enough money to where he may see his morals as more important than any more wealth.
Not having a back and forth with the guard may actually be better as it will allow the Nets to grow with those active and ready to play.
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