There is renewed optimism around Irving returning to the Nets this season, sources with knowledge of the situation tell
The Athletic.
It remains unclear whether Irving’s potential return this season would come via vaccination to meet New York City’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement or by Brooklyn opening the door for him to play road games and practice at home, but sources have indicated a renewed belief that Irving could play this season after all. Nets players and coaches want to have Irving rejoin the team as soon as possible. In recent weeks, Irving and
Kevin Durant, his co-star and close friend, have had increased communication about his fit on the team, breaking down the games, and about life in general, sources added. There appears to be an increased level of enthusiasm between the two superstars.
There had been serious doubts about Irving’s playing status this season, barring New York City mayor-elect Eric Adams changing the COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Multiple City Hall officials, both current and incoming, have told
The Athletic there are no plans to lift the requirement, which currently requires residents to have at least one vaccine shot to enter indoor gyms such as Barclays Center.
“We just focus on our group and getting better every single day and if we get the gift of (Irving’s) return, we’ll be ecstatic but we can’t count on it,” Nets coach Steve Nash said last week. “We can’t wait for him. We have to get to work and get better.”
The Nets, led by team governor Joe Tsai, have been adamant about Irving being fully committed to the team for all games and not participating as a part-time player. The Nets
announced on Oct. 12 that Irving would sit out all team activities until he fulfills the city’s vaccine requirements. Nonetheless, Irving has stated publicly and privately his desire is to play and return to the floor.
“Don’t believe that I’m retiring, don’t believe that I’m going to give up this game for a vaccine mandate or staying unvaccinated,” Irving said on Instagram Live in October.
Irving went public in October with his reasons about being unvaccinated, days after
The Athletic reported what was behind his mindset and why he chose to remain sidelined to start the season rather than take the vaccine. If no resolution occurs for Irving to rejoin the team by the Feb. 10 trade deadline, the Nets could be faced with a decision to make on potential offers they continue to receive. Several teams have placed calls into the Nets since Oct. 12, but Brooklyn has not engaged.
New York City will implement an expanded vaccine mandate for all private sector individuals on Dec. 27, at which point Irving would need to receive two doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna shots to be eligible to play at home or one shot of the Johnson & Johnson dose. The process of being fully vaccinated with the two-dose shot could take up to one month. The single-dose vaccine has full vaccination status after two weeks.
Brooklyn is No. 1 in the Eastern Conference at 19-8 this season and is 8-1 versus below .500 teams, but 11-7 against above .500 clubs. The Nets will continue to play on with Irving, but as the calendar nears January, the prospects of Irving returning alongside Durant and James Harden must be at the center of these Nets’ collective minds.
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Just two weeks ago Shams “reported” Kyrie wasn’t close to playing.
