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"Everyone had their say," Nash told reporters after the Nets'
practice on Wednesday. "It takes time to make decisions like
that. This is a difficult decision. But I think it was a sound
one and one that makes complete sense to everyone." Nash
addressed the team Wednesday. Star guard James Harden said it's
time to proceed without Irving, but both said they would happily
welcome him back.
"We are just going to move on, and if things change, it would be
incredible to have him back in the fold," Nash said. "It was a
tenuous situation to have a player in and out like that. There's
more clarity, and we can focus on the future and get going."
Irving, 29, has been staunch against getting vaccinated, despite
a New York City order requiring the shot if he is to play or
practice with the team at home this season.
"Given the evolving nature of the situation and after thorough
deliberation, we have decided Kyrie Irving will not play or
practice with the team until he is eligible to be a full
participant," Nets general manager Sean Marks said in a
statement Tuesday. "Kyrie has made a personal choice, and we
respect his individual right to choose. Currently the choice
restricts his ability to be a full-time member of the team, and
we will not permit any member of our team to participate with
part-time availability."
Harden said he and star forward Kevin Durant talked with the
personnel involved in the Irving decision and that all parties
see eye-to-eye.
"Sean, Steve, me, KD, Kyrie, we all had conversations," Harden
said. "Kyrie believes in his beliefs, and he stands firm and
strong on that. And for us, we respect it. We all love Ky. But
as far as us, we have a job to do.
"Individually, myself, I am still wanting to set myself up for a
championship. And I feel like the entire organization is on the
same path and we are all in this as a collective unit."
The Nets, who lost to the eventual NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks
in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season, are scheduled
to open the regular season at Milwaukee on Tuesday night.
The New York COVID mandate prohibits unvaccinated individuals
from working in or attending events at many indoor spaces,
including entertainment and sporting venues. Similar rules are
in place in San Francisco and will go into effect in Los Angeles
as of Nov. 29.
Irving's stance potentially could cost him millions, although
the players' association could move to challenge salary
withholdings over vaccination status.
Marks said Tuesday that Irving would not be paid for home games
he misses while "ineligible." The NBA isn't forcing players to
get vaccinated against COVID-19, but it is going to withhold pay
for any player who misses games due to local regulations.
Irving is due $35.3 million this season in the third year of a
four-year, $136.5 million deal he signed July 6, 2019. Marks
said the team's decision is not indicative of an impending
trade.
Irving, a seven-time All-Star, played in 54 regular-season games
for the Nets last season and averaged 26.9 points, 6.0 assists
and 4.8 rebounds. In 582 career games (all starts) with the
Cleveland Cavaliers (2011-17), Boston Celtics (2017-19) and
Nets, he has averages of 22.8 points, 5.7 assists and 3.8
rebounds.
--Field Level Media
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