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Brooklyn Nets General Manager Sean Marks has provided an update regarding the team's starting point guard, Kyrie Irving. In a statement, Marks revealed that Irving would not join the team until he could be "full-time member" of the organization.
Irving is not vaccinated against COVID-19 and has not indicated that he will receive a vaccine in the near future. Under current guidelines implemented by New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, Irving is legally allowed to use the team's practice facility. However, he is not able to participate in games at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. To avoid confusion, the Nets have made the decision to have Irving separate himself until he is vaccinated or citywide guidelines change.
"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," Marks said.
"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. We are excited for the start of the season and look forward to a successful campaign that will make the borough of Brooklyn proud."
In his absence, Kevin Durant and James Harden will lead the Nets through the 2021-2022 NBA season. Brooklyn will open their regular season campaign on Milwaukee, Wisconsin next Monday.
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