The Brooklyn Nets are 15-6 and have played every single one of their 21 games this year without Kyrie Irving.
Because of his unvaccinated status, Irving isn’t eligible to play in Nets home games. Brooklyn’s leadership decided that they would not let Irving be a part-time player and have chosen to sit him until he complies with the mandate from the city.
According to Yahoo, the team hasn’t ruled out trading Kyrie Irving.
“Brooklyn remained open to talking trades involving Irving, per SNY sources. ESPN reported in late October that the Nets were taking calls on potential Irving trades, but not making them. In the weeks following that report, several teams said Brooklyn has continued to take that approach with the All-Star guard.
If the Nets trade Irving, they don’t have to worry about the ramifications of his return to the team.”
Also another concern for the team is James Harden‘s future with the franchise as he did not sign an extension prior to the deadline to get one done. He has a player option for the 2022-23 that he is expected to decline in favor of signing a long-term deal.
The Philadelphia 76ers reportedly have Harden on their list of 30 players they’d accept in a Ben Simmons trade. Harden and GM Daryl Morey have a long history together that dates back to their Houston Rockets days.
Irving has career averages of 22.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game and is an NBA Champion winning the title in 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers.