Photo: Corey Sipkin/New York Post

Kyrie Irving May Seriously Consider Retirement If The Brooklyn Nets Trade Him

Kyrie Irving’s vaccination status continues to be one of the biggest storylines this season. The controversial Brooklyn Nets star chooses not to get vaccinated and now has to live with the consequences of that choice. 

Irving is ineligible to play home games due to New York City’s vaccine mandate. On top of that, per NBA’s mandate, Irving will not be paid for any games that he misses as a result of refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Brooklyn Nets have remained patient with Irving’s decision not to get vaccinated at this moment. But if Irving’s decision turns out to be a huge detrimental to team’s success, the Nets may be forced to make tough decisions in the foreseeable future.

One potential option for the Nets are to perhaps construct a trade for the 29-year old star point guard. The idea has been floating around the league for quite a while now. However, NBA insider Marc Stein believes facilitating a trade involving Irving seems unlikely as there’s a belief that Irving could seriously consider retirement if the Nets decide to trade him.

Per Marc Stein’s Substack:

“There is no indication yet- that the 76ers have an interest in exploring the Simmons-for Kyrie Irving trade being thrown around as the natural “solution” for two Atlantic Division teams facing major headaches to start the season. Reason being: It is not at all the obvious solution it would appear to be on paper.”

“There is a belief in some corners of the league that Irving would retire, or at least deeply ponder it, if Brooklyn suddenly traded him. The 29-year-old is also a challenge to manage in the best of times and can become a free agent as soon as next summer if he declines his lucrative player option for the 2022-23 season. Forget how tantalizing it is to imagine Brooklyn adding Simmons’ playmaking and defense. Does any of this sound like a palatable solution for Philly?”