Kyrie Irving has been out of contention for the Brooklyn Nets all season due to his COVID-19 vaccination status, but according to recent reports, the 7-time All-Star pick could be set to make a comeback in the coming weeks.
The 29-year-old took to his social media channels, posting a simple video of himself putting on a pair of sneakers, leading to talk of an imminent return to action. The current regulations require players in New York to have one dose of a vaccine in order to play, moving up to two doses by December 27th, so it’s not clear whether Irving has had a change of heart in terms of his own vaccination concerns.
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It would be fair to say that the Nets are doing just fine without Irving, and a brief glimpse at the sidelines.io comparison service shows that Barclays Center side is still clear favorites at (+300) for the NBA title with a current record of 20-8 leading them clear at the top of the Atlantic Division, five games up on the Philadelphia 76ers.
Talk of an Irving return has been further boosted by apparent ongoing conversations between Nets star Kevin Durant and his team-mate that could suggest that a change of heart may be on the cards.
There has also been speculation that Irving might be the subject of an audacious trade with the Dallas Mavericks taking a keen interest in Irving. The trade would, in theory, involve Kristaps Porzingis moving in the opposite direction.
https://twitter.com/BrooklynNetcast/status/1476272256011673605
The Mavericks haven’t impressed this season, and their 14-14 record has them behind the Memphis Grizzlies in the Southwest and struggling for form. It’s unclear whether the Nets would consider such a move. Clearly, Irving is an outstanding talent, but right now, he’s something of a deadweight for the Nets.
With regards to the Instagram video posted by Irving, this could be a chance for the NBA star to promote his brand; he could just be bored of sitting things out. He hasn’t featured for the Nets since they were bumped out of the Eastern Conference Semifinals by eventual champions the Milwaukee Bucks back in June.
Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash was asked to respond to the possibility of Irving coming back to the team, and he made it clear it’s something he’d welcome;
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“We just focus on our group and getting better every single day, and if we get the gift of his return, we’ll be ecstatic, but we can’t count on it. We can’t wait for him. We have to get to work and get better.”
Nash continued;
“I haven’t, and I have no updates,”
“I have connected with him but totally outside of the scope of the question and just on life in general. So we connected last week but not with any intel or insight that things are changing. So I know he’s working out, and I know he’d love to be playing, but I think the boundaries are still the same as they were before recent reports.”
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