LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 03: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets cheers from the bench during a pre season game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on October 3, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
As you might have been able to guess, Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets haven’t had any contract extension talks this offseason.
Things just keep getting more and more complicated for the Brooklyn Nets when it comes to superstar guard Kyrie Irving. Irving took things to a new level on Wednesday night, as he took to Instagram live to confirm that he hasn’t been vaccinated from COVID-19.
Moving forward, the Nets have come out and said that Irving won’t be able to practice with the team or play in games until he’s a ‘full participant.’ Basically, they’ve told him either he can choose to get the vaccine or miss out on the action this campaign. With that said, the two sides of course haven’t discussed any kind of an extension with his status so much in the air.
Kyrie Irving’s future with the Nets is clear as mud
According to insider Brian Lewis, he was able to confirm with his sources that the two sides indeed have not had any extension conversations. Irving is in the middle of his four-year, $136 million deal with Brooklyn. He’s all set to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2022-23 campaign.
While the team would of course love to keep him around for the long haul, the latest drama surrounding his vaccine status has sure put a wrench in things. Again, no one knows if Irving will end up playing this season or not. The Nets front office isn’t ready to budge here either.
Plain and simple, it’s looking like he’ll need to get the shots if he wants to hit the hardwood with Kevin Durant, James Harden and Co. The longer he waits, though, the more stress there will be for the organization as a whole.