Woj: Nets look set to play hard with Kyrie Irving on vaccination status

With Kyrie Irving unable to train – and even banned from HSS Training Center – the Nets’ organization looks set to play hard with their superstar.

In a Tuesday night story by Adrian Wojnarowski and Brian Windhorst report that despite “outside” support for Irving’s position, the Nets are preparing to consider possible options regarding his future with the club.

If Irving is still unvaccinated, the Nets may soon have to decide whether to allow Irving to come and go with the team inside and outside New York – or just keep him out, 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.

Irving has not confirmed he was not vaccinated. Neither did the Nets, but various reports, including from Woj, say he didn’t even receive a single hit, which is all he would need to get back on the team. Irving missed Media Day at the Barclays Center last week, answering questions via Reporters’ Zoom about everything but his “personal decision” to get the shot. Then on Tuesday he missed his first practice.

Going forward, the Nets have a preseason game at Barclays against the Bucks on Friday, then their annual practice at Park on Saturday. They also have another preseason game against the Timberwolves in Brooklyn on October 14, then after two road games to open the season, the Nets return home for opening night on October 24. Under New York City regulations, Irving is prohibited from practicing, playing, or participating in team activities. He is also prohibited from entering the arena or the training center.

He will also soon start losing money under the NBA-NBPA pay cut deal – 1 / 91.6th of a player’s salary for every game an unvaccinated player misses in his home market in. due to local laws …

Wojnarowski and Windhorst also raised the possibility, so subtly, that Irving might be out of place if he doesn’t get stung.

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.

The final decision on what to do will be up to the property. Joe Tsai, in interviews last week with the two reporters who went to training camp with the Nets, said he respects Irving’s decision but told the Post’s Brian Lewis that Irving should go. remember what the team’s goal is this season: a championship. Tsai also revealed to Alex Schiffer that he has been vaccinated four times, an indicator of his support for vaccination as a safe and effective way to thwart COVID-19.

In his interview with Schiffer, Tsai also spoke about his role in the player movement, saying he left it mainly to management but was “consulted”.

“If I were to interfere in decisions about draft picks or trades – obviously I’m consulted – but if I try to get my hand too deep into the inner workings, then I might as well engage and lead the team myself And why would I want to do that?

This situation, unique as it is, could change this dynamic.