Kyrie Irving
There has been some trade talk picking up around Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets because of the tough decision the team made. Irving is unvaccinated, which means he would be a part-time player with the team.
New York City has a COVID-19 mandate in place that requires proof of vaccination. Irving remains unvaccinated, meaning he is ineligible for games at Barclays Center and Madison Square Garden.
Not wanting the distraction, the Nets decided Kyrie Irving would not be allowed to play until he is eligible to play full-time. Because of that, the Nets are reportedly now open to trade offers for Irving.
If Irving is willing to accept a trade is another issue entirely. It has been said that he would just retire instead of being traded away from the Nets. But, given the current situation with the team, Kyrie Irving may warm up to the idea of being traded.
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Kyrie Irving is forfeiting nearly $15 million in salary by remaining ineligible for games in New York. Brooklyn also pulled a $186 million extension off the table. He may want to start making that money back, and trade is the only way for that to happen.
Eventually, he will become receptive to a move so that he can get back on the court. The Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Minnesota Timberwolves are all options.
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Ultimately, it will be Thunder that acquires him, given it is the path of least resistance. They can absorb his entire deal without needing to part with a matching salary and it would save the Nets a ton of money on the luxury tax.
