The Brooklyn Nets have a conundrum on their hands when it comes to NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving. Irving is currently ineligible to take part in any practices or games with the team because he remains unvaccinated for COVID-19.
New York has mandates in place that people need to be vaccinated to take part in indoor events. That includes Barclays Center, and as things currently stand, Irving will remain away from the team until he receives his shot.
The Golden State Warriors went through a similar situation with Andrew Wiggins. San Francisco, like New York, has indoor mandates about being vaccinated. He showed up to training camp unvaccinated, but changed course and is now eligible to play.
With Irving currently ineligible, the Nets have to put together some contingency plans. One of those contingency plans could be trading Irving and replacing him with players that would be eligible to play in all 82 regular-season games.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kyrie Irving’s Trade Value “Virtually Zero” For Brooklyn Nets
But, that is easier said than done. It has been reported that Irving has virtually zero trade value, so moving him would be difficult if the Nets went that route. There is also the case of Irving not wanting to leave, as he only wants to play for the Nets.
Jeff Fischer of Bleacher Report shared that update during an episode of The Glue Guys Podcast.
“Anyone who I know who’s been remotely involved with Brooklyn since they signed Kevin and Kyrie in 2019 have maintained that he does not want to go anywhere, but be in Brooklyn. He wants to be in Brooklyn with Kevin and they want to win a championship together.”
Ultimately, that decision is not Irving’s to make. If he decides to remain unvaccinated, the Nets are going to do whatever they feel is best for the franchise moving forward to compete for a championship.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kyrie Irving’s Trade Value “Virtually Zero” For Brooklyn Nets
But, if Kevin Durant has any say about it, and it sounds as if he does, Irving will not be going anywhere. Stephen A. Smith shared that a Ben Simmons for Kyrie Irving swap would be something that would be done in a heartbeat. But, Durant is not having it and wants Irving to remain in Brooklyn.
As long as that sentiment from Kevin Durant remains the same, there likely won’t be a trade made involving the mercurial point guard.
