Could Kyrie’s vaccine-related absence costs the Nets a championship?

If Brooklyn Nets All-Star Kyrie Irving doesn’t want to get the COVID-19 vaccine – and there’s plenty of non-conspiracy, life-saving information available that should prompt him to do so – he doesn’t have to get the vaccine.

The NBA has tried to get players vaccinated through education and health and safety protocols that will make the season easier for vaccinated players and more onerous for unvaccinated players.

Still, Irving isn’t vaccinated, and on

Sunday, Nets coach Steve Nash said, “I think we recognize he’s not playing home games. So we’re going to have to for sure play without him this year. So it just depends on when, where and how much.”

On Tuesday, general manager Sean Marks said that Kyrie will not take part in any team activities until he is vaccinated against COVID-19.

“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,” Marks said in a statement. “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.

“It is imperative that we continue to build chemistry as a team and remain true to our long-established values of togetherness and sacrifice. Our championship goals for the season have not changed, and to achieve these goals each member of our organization must pull in the same direction.”

New York City’s vaccine mandate prevents Irving from playing games at Barclays Center – and Madison Square Garden when the Nets play the New York Knicks.

That’s horrible for the Nets and their championship aspirations.

Maybe the Nets can overcome it because they have Kevin Durant and James Harden, but it’s hardly an ideal circumstance, especially if Irving isn’t vaccinated by April and the start of the playoffs.

Marks indicated last month that all players would be able to participate in training camp, and there was belief Irving would receive the vaccine. That’s not the case, leaving the franchise and its high expectations in a predicament.

To complicate matters – and the Nets’ future – Irving and Harden haven’t signed extensions after Marks expressed confidence in August the pair would join Durant in signing new deals.

Harden and Irving can become free agents following this season, and there is a possibility one or both could leave Brooklyn.

The NBA moves fast. One year ago, the 2019/20 season had just concluded. Then less than a month into the next season, the Nets acquired Harden from Houston, giving them a chance to compete for a title season after season.

Injuries and COVID derailed Brooklyn’s 2020-21 season and now Irving’s reluctance to become vaccinated threatens their 2021-22 season.

The Nets and Nash can say all the right things now and perhaps they even get off to a good start with two road games against quality opponents (at Milwaukee, at Philadelphia) where Irving can play and then six consecutive home games where he can’t play.

But at a point this season – or several points – Irving’s absence will result in games the Nets would have won with him on the court. Teammates and Nash may not say anything publicly but it stands to reason resentment and frustration are strong possibilities.

It’s hard to find a comparable situation, especially one that doesn’t involve injuries or suspensions.

Irving’s stance potentially could cost him millions, although Marks said Tuesday that Irving would only not be paid for home games he misses while “ineligible.”

Irving is due $35.3 million this season in the third year of a four-year, $136.5 million deal he signed July 6, 2019.

Marks said the team’s decision is not indicative of a trade and the Nets would “welcome Kyrie back with open arms ... under a different set of circumstances.”This is his decision, but the impact of that goes beyond Irving and hits the franchise and his teammates.

It’s a problem for the Brooklyn Nets, a problem the rest of the teams in the league don’t mind. (USA Today/TNS)