NBA Rumors: Nets Need To Make A Decision On Uncle Drew And Fast

Time is winding down on the Brooklyn Nets with the 2021-22 NBA season just around the corner. With most teams applying the finishing touches, the Nets are unable to because of one player named Kyrie Irving.

An issue right now is whether the 29-year-old should plan to get vaccinated or not. That has yet to be confirmed but there are suggestions the one-time NBA champion is against it. This was suggested by his aunt in a previous post, alleging that Irving is morally opposed to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Along with that comes the big money that Irving stands to lose. He is under contract for $34.9 million this coming NBA season. If he does hold out, that would mean forfeiting roughly $15.6 million for the season.

This development comes after the NBA and the player’s union agreed on terms of financial penalties for players who miss homes games as a result of violating local COVID-19 vaccine mandates in New York City and San Francisco.

According to ESPN, unvaccinated players stand to lose 1/91.6th of their salaries for each home game they miss this season.

Hence, the Nets are pressed to make some hard decisions. Will they allow Irving to sit out all home games and play in matches where COVID-19 restrictions are not that strict? Or will they sideline Irving altogether?

While the financial aspect is somehow covered, it also puts a dent in the NBA title aspirations of the Nets. Irving is a vital part of Steve Nash’s rotation and sitting out would be costly.

The likelihood of Irving playing got even darker with a recent tweet. It read: “Be still and know…”

Irving is no stranger when it comes to being absent or holding out. And it appears the Nets are moving forward and will not adjust to him. According to head coach Steve Nash, they will hold practices at the Brooklyn facility and won’t move its practices out of New York City.

"No, this is our home," Nash said. "This is where we're going to practice and we have almost a whole group."

These are key developments so it will be interesting what Nash and the Nets management plan to do next.