Brooklyn Nets is still unclear on Kyrie Irving’s vaccine intentions; be prepared for the possibility that he misses home games, practices

The Brooklyn Nets remain unclear on All-Star goaltender Kyrie Irving’s ultimate intentions to get the shot and have made no decision on whether the organization will welcome him as a part-time player this season, said sources at ESPN.

There had been previous optimism that Irving would get the shot and fulfill local government mandates to train and play in New York this season, but that hope faded and Irving’s continued resistance to the vaccination. prepares the Nets for the possibility that they will be without him for home practices and games for the foreseeable future, sources have told ESPN.

If Irving is still unvaccinated, the Nets may soon have to decide whether to allow Irving to come and go with the team in and out of New York – or just keep him away all together, sources said. .

The Nets have outwardly supported Irving’s process to consider vaccination and believe they have listened to, supported and educated him, but the franchise’s collective patience will increasingly be tested as Irving does not stand. not commit to fully join the team. time base.

The Nets believe they are still a championship contender with a roster built around Kevin Durant and James Harden and may ultimately have to make some tough decisions about Irving’s future if he remains unvaccinated and unable to play. Barclays Center or Madison Square Garden.

Under a deal between the league and the players’ union, Irving could lose match checks of around $ 380,000 for every home game he misses due to protocols starting with Friday’s home game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Irving, 29, is under contract for $ 35.3 million this season.

After Irving missed practice in Brooklyn on Tuesday, Nets coach Steve Nash said the team would not consider moving practices outside of New York to accommodate him. The team will only be away from home for one day the rest of the preseason – Monday for a game in Philadelphia. At this point, Irving will not have been allowed to train or play with the team for 10 days.

The challenge of an unvaccinated Irving could put the Nets to the test immediately in the regular season. With a six-game homestead starting in week two of the season, Irving would be away from his teammates for 11 days before he could train with them again. This is a situation that will repeat itself over and over again for varying lengths of time. During a stretch in November and December, the Nets are home for 20 out of 26 days.