Nets to Welcome Back Kyrie Irving…Just Not in Brooklyn
He's back! Kyrie Irving apparently has won the staring contest with his team, New York City and the NBA. The Brooklyn Nets are bringing the All-Star guard back as a part-time player for games exclusively played outside of New York City, according to sources as told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. "The unfolding circumstances of Brooklyn's season - including injuries, players lost to health and safety protocols and an inordinate minutes load on their superstar players led the team to this move" according to Wojnarowski.
The Brooklyn Nets have been without their star guard all season long. To this point, Kyrie Irving had been unwilling to satisfy New York City mandates and become vaccinated to play home games. Earlier in the year, General Manager Sean Marks and the Nets brass announced that Irving will not be given the opportunity to be a part time player. They said that their All-Star is welcome back, whenever he can play all of the games. However, according to ESPN's report, "the turbulence of the ongoing NBA season has caused the organization to reconsider their preseason decision to fully sideline Irving, sources said."
The reports says that Nets owner Joe Tsai, along with Mark and coach Steve Nash are in favor of Irving's return. More importantly, key players are also in agreement. Wojnarowski reported that Kyrie Irving has been eager to return to play in the team's away games and can start practicing at team facility.