The Brooklyn Nets have gone back on their original plan from the beginning of the 2021-22 NBA season, allowing Kyrie Irving to return to the team. It was a peculiar plan to have Irving come into the mix now. Brining an unvaccinated player into the mix at the height of a COVID-19 breakout doesn’t make much sense, but it is what the Nets decided was best for the franchise.
Irving promptly landed in the league’s health and safety protocols as he tested positive. He will have his reintegration to the team delayed as he will be sidelined for the maximum duration as an unvaccinated player.
It was a shocking development that the Nets announced that Irving would be coming back. The team is ravaged by players being sidelined by COVID or injured, but going back on their word that Irving would not play until he was eligible full-time is a bad look for the organization. What other concessions are they willing to make if they believe you are good enough to help them win some basketball games?
There are likely going to be more boundaries pushed as people know when push comes to shove, Brooklyn will cede. All of this wouldn’t be an issue had Irving gotten the vaccine like all of his teammates.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving Starts Process To Return To Brooklyn Nets
As things currently stand, Irving is only eligible to practice with the team and play in road games. He is not eligible to participate in any games at Barclays Center or Madison Square Garden. But, that is something the organization believes could change.
On a recent episode of The Crossover NBA Show with Chris Mannix and Howard Beck, Chris Mannix provided an update on the Irving situation. Based on what he has heard, it sounds like the Nets expect Irving to get vaccinated sooner than later once he is around the team more.
“The conversations I’ve had with people in Brooklyn… what they are hoping for is Kyrie’s back, he’s in the facility, he’s around Durant, he’s around Harden, he’s around his teammates, and he comes around the next month or so to getting vaccinated.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving Starts Process To Return To Brooklyn Nets
Irving has very strong beliefs and has already forfeited millions of dollars in salary by remaining unvaccinated. If he has not yet received his vaccine, it is hard to imagine that he would change his mind now.
The Nets certainly hope that he does, as they have opened themselves up to a ton of criticism and distractions by allowing a part-time player to rejoin the team.
