May 11, 2022.
Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks would not say if he hopes the team's star point guard will be in Brooklyn long-term, showing frustration after Irving's refusal to receive the Covid-19 vaccine bled into the Nets.
Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving stands during the team's playoff game against the Boston Celtics.
Marks said that the front office is still discussing the situation and that Brooklyn is committed to Irving long-term.
The New York City Covid-19 vaccine rules that ended in March caused Irving to play in just 29 of the Nets 81 games last season.
Marks said in the press conference that the Nets are looking for players who can be available and want to play.
Irving has an option to become a free agent if he doesn't choose to play in the 2022-23 season.
The Nets were the preseason favorite to win the NBA title, but they lost in the first round of the playoffs. Irving was ineligible for Nets home games because he was unvaccinated, due to a New York City mandate. Brooklyn suspended the seven-time All Star in October before allowing him to return as a part-time player in December. New York City Mayor Eric Adams nixed the athlete vaccine requirement just before the start of the NBA playoffs. In March, Irving said he intended to stay with the Nets, but he didn't say if he would pick up his player option or seek a new deal. Irving can sign a maximum five-year contract with Brooklyn worth up to $246 million.
In an appearance last week on his Nets teammate Kevin Durant's podcast, Irving called himself a martyr, saying missing games to stand up against vaccine mandates was the life of a martyr.
About $380,000. Irving missed out on every home game he played while ineligible due to his vaccine status.
Vaccination status has dropped him from the highest-paid NBA players.
Business concerns have been created by the Brooklyn Nets' playoff flop.
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