Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets have been in the media spotlight lately, due to the prospect of Kyrie Irving missing all of the Nets’ home games during the 2021-22 season. Irving would have to miss those games due to New York’s local laws, which would prevent him from playing due to him being unvaccinated for COVID-19.
It has been reported that the Brooklyn Nets will not allow Kyrie Irving to be a part-time player, and it seems as though they will be proceeding without him. As of right now, Kyrie Irving will not be able to play in any NBA games whatsoever.
Given the evolving nature of the situation and after thorough deliberation, we have decided Kyrie Irving will not play or practice with the team until he is eligible to be a full participant.
Kyrie has made a personal choice, and we respect his individual right to choose. Currently, the choice restricts his ability to be a full-time member of the team, and we will not permit any member of our team to participate with part-time availability.
On the latest episode of The Glue Guys podcast, Shams Charania revealed that Kyrie Irving will no longer be offered an extension by the Brooklyn Nets, an extension that could have potentially been as high as $186 million. It was also mentioned by Charania that Kyrie Irving could lose around $16 million in salary this upcoming 2021-22 season.
Via the @BKGlueGuys, @ShamsCharania confirms Kyrie will not be offered an extension:
“He was willing to sacrifice, at the end of the day, 16 million dollars in salary this upcoming year and 186 million dollars, as far as an extension, that he will not be offered now.”
— Alec Sturm (@Alec_Sturm) October 13, 2021
He was willing to sacrifice, at the end of the day, 16 million dollars in salary this upcoming year and 186 million dollars, as far as an extension, that he will not be offered now.
There is no doubt that this is a lot of money to lose for Kyrie Irving. It was previously reported that GM Sean Marks was optimistic about a contract extension for Kyrie Irving, though it seems as if though that offer has now been rescinded.
Shams Charania mentions later that the Brooklyn Nets would be willing to listen to any trade offers for Kyrie Irving which involve a “significant” return. It definitely seems as though the Brooklyn Nets are willing to do whatever it takes in order to maximize their chances at a championship.
Rival teams right now, feel that Brooklyn is at least open to hearing any types of significant offers. I think everything is on the table… If a significant offer comes their way for a guy who is as of now not playing for them, will they have to listen? I’m sure they will.
Some people have already stated that Kyrie Irving should be traded if he can’t play for the team, and Charania’s report suggests that an Irving trade could be a possibility. It remains to be seen what Kyrie Irving will do in the future, and whether he’ll end up being able to return to the team.
As of now though, the Brooklyn Nets are riding with James Harden and Kevin Durant as their superstar duo, and they’re certainly still contenders. Two former MVPs as your stars still make a good team foundation, and they should certainly not be counted out.
