Irving on shelf until he’s vaccinated
Nets say star banned from being with team
Brooklyn Nets star point guard Kyrie Irving will not take part in any team activities until he is vaccinated against COVID-19, GM Sean Marks said Tuesday.
Irving, 29, has been staunch against getting vaccinated, despite a New York City order requiring the shot if he is to play or practise with the team at home this season.
“Given the evolving nature of the situation and after thorough deliberation, we have decided Kyrie Irving will not play or practise 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.”
The New York mandate prohibits unvaccinated individuals from working in or attending events at many indoor spaces, including entertainment and sporting venues.
Irving’s stance potentially could cost him millions, although the players’ association could move to challenge salary withholdings over vaccination status.
Marks said Tuesday that Irving would not be paid for home games he misses while “ineligible.” The NBA isn’t forcing players to get vaccinated against COVID-19, but it is going to withhold pay for any player who misses games due to local regulations. Irving is due US$35.3 million this season in the third year of a fouryear, $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.”
“I’m sure this is not a decision that (Irving and his agents) like — he wants to be participating with his teammates,” Marks said. “Again this is a choice that Kyrie had and he was well aware of it.”