The Brooklyn Nets are coming off a tumultuous week, culminating in the indefinite suspension of Kyrie Irving for at least five games.
But now, Irving’s future with Brooklyn altogether – and the NBA at large – is uncertain.
A report from NBA insider Marc Stein states there’s growing pessimism around the league Irving may never return to the Nets, while the seven-time All-Star will meet with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver face-to-face as early as Wednesday (all times AEDT).
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The Nets issued the 30-year old six “remedial measures” to complete in order to return to the team – a list Stein reported was made with knowledge he’d be unlikely to complete all six steps and thus subject himself to an outright release.
The controversial guard, who’s set to become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, was sensationally ineligible to practice and play with the Nets last campaign due to New York City’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate due to his refusal to get vaccinated.
Irving will miss his third-straight game when the Nets face the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday. Without Irving, Brooklyn has gone 2-0 to improve to 4-6 on the season, having parted ways with former coach Steve Nash last week.
Nike over the weekend suspended its relationship with Irving effective immediately, with the his shoe deal with the sportswear giant worth approximately $AUD17 million-a-year since 2014 set to go up in smoke.
