It has been widely speculated that Kyrie Irving has yet to take the COVID-19 vaccine shot with Yaron Weitzman of Fox Sports among those hearing from sources on the matter.
When asked about the subject, Irving requested to keep his status private, despite the fact that it may impact his availability for the Nets. Irving wasn’t able to attend the team’s media day in Brooklyn on Monday because of local health and safety protocols
However, according to Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo! Sports, Irving may end up taking the shot with Kevin Durant serving as a strong influence.
The Nets’ first regular-season game is Sunday, 10/24 against the Hornets.
More Nets Rumors
- Despite the current situation, the Nets aren’t looking to move Irving, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report. “Kyrie came to Brooklyn to win a championship alongside Kevin Durant,” one veteran executive said. James Harden‘s confidants, sources told Fischer, also expect Irving to be a part of the Nets’ future.
-
Nets officials work patiently with Irving whenever he seemingly ruffles behind closed doors, which includes his seven-game absence in January, per Fischer (same article). “They hear him out,” one league source with knowledge of the situation said. “They make the effort to try and communicate with him. That’s why Brooklyn is a special place.”
-
The Rockets inquired about Irving in the trade that sent Harden to Brooklyn, per Fischer. The Nets, however, never entertained parting with Irving.
-
Harden is eligible for a contract extension this offseason, as he says “he’s taking his time with it” in a conversation with Malika Andrews of ESPN. Harden, who also says “I just want to focus on winning the championship,” has until Oct. 18 to sign the extension.
