Nets Won’t Permit Kyrie Irving To Be Part-Time Player
The Nets have decided that they’re not comfortable with guard Kyrie Irving only playing in half the team’s games due to his vaccination status. Brooklyn issued a press release today announcing that Irving won’t play or practice with the team until he can be a “full participant,” with general manager Sean Marks explaining the organization’s stance.
“Kyrie has made a personal choice, and we respect his individual right to choose,” Marks said in a statement. “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. We are excited for the start of the season and look forward to a successful campaign that will make the borough of Brooklyn proud.”
Irving is the only player on the Nets who remains unvaccinated against COVID-19. A New York City executive order requires individuals who work in the city to have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine in order to enter indoor venues such as Barclays Center.
The Nets appeared to catch a break last week when the city deemed the team’s practice facility, the HSS Center, a private office building, allowing Irving to practice both at home and on the road. However, there was no wiggle room on his ability to play in games in New York.
Taking into account the Nets’ 41 home games and their two games at Madison Square Garden, Irving would be ineligible to play in 43 of 82 regular season contests this season as long as he remains unvaccinated and the city’s executive order remains unchanged.
Although Irving would have been eligible to play in Brooklyn’s other 39 games, it would have been a very stop-and-start process, especially since the Nets have seven home stands this season of three games or more. The team has decided it would be untenable to have the point guard only available on the road, a decision that involved stars Kevin Durant and James Harden in addition to Marks and team owner Joe Tsai, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (link via RealGM).
Now that the Nets have clarified their position, it’ll be fascinating to see what comes next. Irving could immediately end the standoff by agreeing to be vaccinated, but if he digs in his heels, the team will have to determine whether it will indefinitely suspend the seven-time All-Star.
Exploring the trade market is another option the Nets could consider, since Irving would be eligible to play in all 82 games in most other NBA cities. However, the 29-year-old isn’t expected to have a ton of trade value, given his mercurial personality and his expiring contract.
Paul Millsap Cleared To Play
- Nets forward Paul Millsap was also sidelined briefly by the league’s health and safety protocols during camp but he was cleared to play in Monday’s preseason game, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post. Millsap only missed one preseason contest.
Nets Waive Bryce Brown, Josh Gray
Shortly after signing the two guards, the Nets have requested waivers on Bryce Brown and Josh Gray, the team announced today.
As we noted in our initial story on Brown and Gray signing with Brooklyn, the moves were made for G League purposes. The Long Island Nets recently acquired Brown’s returning rights from the Westchester Knicks and secured Gray’s returning rights in a deal with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
By signing both players to Exhibit 10 contracts, the Nets ensured that Brown and Gray will earn bonuses worth up to $50K as long as they report to Long Island and spend at least 60 days in the G League.
Brooklyn now has two openings on its 20-man preseason roster.
Nets Sign Bryce Brown, Josh Gray; Waive Edmond Sumner
The Nets have signed guards Bryce Brown and Josh Gray, the team announced, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post (Twitter link).
Both players seem likely to join the club’s G League affiliate in Long Island, Lewis notes in a separate tweet. If Brown and Gray signed Exhibit 10 contracts, they’ll be eligible to receive up to $50K by spending at least 60 days with Long Island this season.
Brown, 24, went unselected in the 2019 NBA Draft. He’s mostly played in the G League during his short career, averaging 13.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 26.7 minutes per game in two seasons.
Gray, 28, most recently played with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the G League bubble. He scored 13 points, dished out 5.8 assists and recorded 1.6 steals per game in 14 contests.
Brooklyn have also officially waived injured guard Edmond Sumner, who was recently acquired by the club. Sumner is expected to miss the 2021/22 season due to a torn Achilles, so the move had been expected.
Atlantic Notes: Nash, Irving, Sixers, Raptors
Kyrie Irving is back with the Nets, but he won’t be traveling with the team for tomorrow’s preseason game at Philadelphia, and coach Steve Nash seems resigned to the fact that Irving is going to start missing home games unless he gets vaccinated, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post.
“I think we recognize he’s not playing home games,” said Nash. “We’re going to have to for sure play without him this year; so it just depends on when, where and how much.”
However, Nash also noted that things can change quickly in this unprecedented situation, per Lewis.
“Right now we assume he’s not going to be available for home games,” Nash said. “Anything can change. Who’s to say, the city’s ordinance could change? Anything could change.”
“Right now we’re just trying to remain flexible, open-minded and figure it out as we go, because information is coming in by the half-day here, whether it’s Paul [Millsap’s health and safety protocol] situation, Kyrie’s situation or the laws. We found out Friday he could come in the building, so things are shifting. No one’s been through this before, and we’re just trying to figure it out as we go.”
Here’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- Tyrese Maxey and Shake Milton of the Sixers appear locked in a battle over the starting point guard spot with Ben Simmons still away from the team, writes Derek Bodner of The Athletic. The players have taken turns starting the team’s first two preseason games, with mixed results for both. However, Bodner thinks Maxey has much higher upside and should be given the opportunity to start, given Milton’s physical limitations.
- In the same article, Bodner notes that second-year guard Isaiah Joe has been outstanding thus far in the preseason and is making a strong case for a spot in the Sixers‘ rotation. Joe is averaging 16.5 PPG while shooting 7-12 (58.3%) from three, and he’s also shown growth as a shot-creator and defender. Coach Doc Rivers has taken notice, per Bodner. “He’s starting to put the ball on the floor. That’s something he couldn’t do (last year),” Rivers said. “He made plays tonight getting into the paint there’s no way he could have done that last year. Good for him because he’s putting all the work in.”
- The Raptors have been impressed with free agent acquisition Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk thus far, writes Doug Smith of the Toronto Star.
- Khem Birch is out of health and safety protocols and could be available for the Raptors tomorrow against Houston, tweets Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports.
New York Notes: Irving, Bacon, Selden, G League
Kyrie Irving rejoined the Nets for a light workout at the Brooklyn Park Bridge earlier this afternoon, writes Zach Braziller of the New York Post.
Braziller notes that before the public event, Irving posted a tweet that seemed to indicate he still might be hesitant to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Irving received a large ovation from the crowd, and new teammate Patty Mills seems glad to have him back, Braziller relays.
“I think we’re taking it one step at a time, so to have everyone here outside at this [event] is pretty special,” Mills said.
Braziller opines that this represents minor progress, but Irving’s vaccination status is still front and center for the team.
Here’s more from New York:
- Dwayne Bacon and Wayne Selden appear to be the frontrunners for the 15th roster spot for the Knicks, relays Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News. Coach Tom Thibodeau appears non-committal as to who might have the upper hand. “We have a number of guys who are battling it out,” Thibodeau said. “(Bacon) is a good competitor and obviously his length, his wing play. Wayne Selden has been terrific, along with Dwayne. Both guys are really solid veterans that can add to a team.” Thibodeau also said that M.J. Walker and Aamir Simms are still in the running as well, per Bondy, and who wins out might come down to who shows the most in practices.
- The Knicks‘ G League affiliate, the Westchester Knicks, will be relocating to Bridgeport, CT for the upcoming season, the team announced in a press release. The team’s normal home arena, the Westchester County Center, is currently being used as a COVID-19 vaccination site.
- In a member-only article, Brian Lewis of The New York Post writes that he believes that Irving’s situation has morphed into a public crisis for the Nets.
New York Notes: Durant, Irving, Harden, Burks, Fournier
Kevin Durant‘s latest comments on Kyrie Irving sounded like a plea for the Nets All-Star point guard to get vaccinated and rejoin the team for the entire season, as Nets Videos relays (Twitter link).
“We want him here for the whole thing,” Durant said. “We want him here for games, home games, practices, away games, shootarounds all of it. Hopefully, we can figure this thing out.”
The latest development on the Irving saga came Friday, when the team was informed that he could practice with the team but not play in home games.
We have more from the New York City teams:
- Nets guard James Harden struggled in his preseason debut on Friday against Milwaukee, scoring eight points and committing four turnovers. Harden said it was an odd experience after missing playoff games and spending most of the offseason recovering from a hamstring strain, Brian Lewis of the New York Post writes. “Practice is different obviously, but just being on the court and having to move felt weird. But I’ll get adjusted to it,” he said.
- Alec Burks‘ ability to make an immediate impact on a game is a luxury for Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, Peter Botte of the New York Post writes. “We were in desperate need of shooting, so he provided shot-making, playmaking,” Thibodeau said. “He can go off the dribble, can play three positions, and he can function as a starter or a guy off the bench. As soon as you put him in the game, he’s ready to go.” Burks re-signed with the Knicks in August on a three-year, $30MM pact.
- Knicks wing Evan Fournier was added mainly to bring some offensive punch but he vows to not be a defensive liability, Botte relays in a separate story. “I consider myself a guy that competes really hard, so I’m not concerned about the defense at all,” he said. “Even as a unit, we’re going to be good defensively.” Fournier was acquired in a sign-and-trade from Boston on a four-year deal worth up to $78MM.
Kyrie Irving Cleared To Practice, Still Can’t Play Home Games
A New York City Hall official has informed Shams Charania of The Athletic (via Twitter) that Kyrie Irving has been cleared to practice with the Nets in Brooklyn, but Irving still can’t play home games until he meets the city’s vaccination requirement.
The reasoning for the change, according to Charania, is that the city has deemed the Nets’ practice facility, the HSS Center, a private office building (Twitter link).
Coach Steve Nash was cautiously optimistic upon being informed of Charania’s reporting, saying, “It’s positive to be able to welcome (Irving) back into the building him and have him be part of the team…it sounds like it’s positive news.” (per Brian Lewis of The New York Post, via Twitter).
Nash is hopeful Irving will be able to practice tomorrow at the Brooklyn Park Bridge, but couldn’t confirm his availability. He also said that Paul Millsap is out for tonight’s preseason game due to health and safety protocols, meaning he either tested positive for COVID-19 or was deemed a close contact of someone who did (Twitter links via Lewis).
Check out the latest reports on Irving here.
Latest On Kyrie Irving
As long he remains unvaccinated against COVID-19, All-Star guard Kyrie Irving would have more value in a market where he could play all 82 games than he currently does in Brooklyn, where a local vaccine mandate would prevent him from playing in more than half of the team’s games this season.
However, even if the Nets were to explore the trade market for Irving, they may not find a ton of enthusiastic suitors, according to Tim Bontemps and Bobby Marks of ESPN, who suggest the 29-year-old wouldn’t be a sure thing to report to a new team. Marc Stein of Substack conveys a similar sentiment in his latest article, writing that there’s a belief “in some corners of the league” that Irving would seriously consider retirement if the Nets were to trade him.
Irving’s unpredictable, mercurial nature is probably one reason why the Sixers, according to Stein, haven’t shown any interest yet in a exploring a trade involving Kyrie and Ben Simmons. Even if Irving were willing to join a new team, his ability to hit free agency in 2022 may diminish his appeal to potential suitors, including Philadelphia, says Stein.
Here’s more on Irving:
- Nets general manager Sean Marks previously expressed interest in signing Irving to a contract extension this offseason, but those discussions are “on ice” for now, sources tell Bontemps and Marks.
- The Nets explored the possibility of moving their practices outside of New York City to accommodate Irving, but decided against it for a variety of reasons, including a desire to have access to all their facilities, per Bontemps and Marks. Head coach Steve Nash has also said the Nets haven’t been in communication with Irving about his personal workouts while he’s away from the team. “It’s not something we’ve discussed,” Nash said.
- James Harden stated on Thursday that Irving’s absence would hurt the Nets, since he’s “one of our best players and one of our leaders,” as NetsDaily relays. However, while Harden said he “of course” wants Kyrie to be on the team, he added that he’s not disappointed by his teammate’s stance. “It’s not disappointing at all. It’s not disappointing,” Harden said. “Kai believes in what he believes in. His family is behind him, we’re behind him. That’s all that it is.”
Irving Ineligible To Play In Home Preseason Opener
- Kyrie Irving is listed as ineligible to play for the Nets’ preseason home opener on Friday, according to The Associated Press. It’s an indication that Irving remains unvaccinated. He practiced with the Nets last week when they held training camp in San Diego, but he hasn’t been able to practice with the team under New York City restrictions.