By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Brooklyn Nets after being optimistic that Kyrie Irving will ultimately get vaccinated, are preparing for the possibility that he could miss practices and home games for the foreseeable future, reports ESPN.
Irving, 29, must receive at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine to enter public indoor venues in New York City, according to the implemented coronavirus health and safety regulations. Therefore, he would be unable to play at home or practice for the Nets during the 2021-22 season. His team remains uncertain about his intentions, as noted in the latest status update.
The former NBA champion, who has deflected questions about the subject, hasn’t been vaccinated, as recently reported. The Nets seem likely to have to decide whether they will retain him as part of the squad, essentially as a part-time player eligible to play and work out with his teammates in a selected few chunks of the 2021-22 schedule. Keeping him sidelined altogether can be another option.
The Brooklyn organization was initially optimistic that Irving would eventually become fully available for the 2021-22 season. The Nets had publicly expressed support for the player.
Irving would lose approximately $381K for each game he potentially misses due to the vaccine mandate. That could eventually add up to nearly half of his 2021-22 salary of $35M, depending on the situation for each game.
Irving’s 2020-21 campaign generated 26.9 points, 6.0 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per Regular Season contest. He went on with 22.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.0 steals per Playoffs tilt until getting injured during the Eastern Conference Semifinals best-of-seven series against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Nets were eliminated in seven games.