Kyrie Irving expressed optimism Thursday evening that an eventual leisure of COVID-19 vaccination mandates might alter his part-time standing with the Nets in some unspecified time in the future this season.
Common supervisor Sean Marks, whose sinking staff executed the blockbuster commerce of James Harden on Thursday, shortly earlier than dropping its tenth consecutive recreation, additionally sounds hopeful the unvaccinated Irving ultimately will be capable to take part in house video games in Brooklyn.
“The choice on the [New York City] mandate, that’s clearly far above my pay grade and never one thing that I’m overly involved about now,” Marks mentioned Friday. “I imply, I feel we’re all the time going to be optimistic.
“I simply look world wide and I see issues are altering, whether or not it’s the masks mandates, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and then you definitely’ve received total international locations who're altering their outlook on Omicron and COVID and so forth. So once more, far greater dialogue. My hope could be that by the point we roll across the playoffs, if not sooner, the world seems like a distinct place and the extra folks which are vaccinated and so forth and we’re transferring on.”
Irving’s availability just for most highway video games is believed to have been a contributing consider Harden’s want to depart. The Nets obliged Harden with a deal to the 76ers that introduced Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round picks to Brooklyn forward of the commerce deadline.
“I feel probably the most annoyed individual on this complete factor is Kyrie,” Marks mentioned. “I imply, Kyrie is annoyed with the truth that he’s not capable of be on the market. … He’s clearly hoping for issues to look completely different sooner or later right here and for him to have the ability to take part in house and highway video games.”
Curry and Drummond are anticipated to be obtainable to hitch the Nets’ lineup forward of Simmons (who hasn’t performed this season, partly resulting from psychological well being points) — presumably as early as the sport Saturday at Miami. Curry owns a profession taking pictures proportion of 43.7 % from 3-point vary, whereas Drummond has led the NBA in rebounding 4 occasions, with a profession common of 13.4 per recreation.
“These are, truthfully, deficiencies within the roster proper now. Deficiencies in our play. I feel all of us see that we want them,” Marks mentioned. “I do know our coaches are excited so as to add all three to the group.”
Curry and Drummond formally have been listed as questionable for Saturday, whereas Kevin Durant (MCL), LaMarcus Aldridge (ankle), Nic Claxton (hamstring) and Joe Harris (ankle) stay out.
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