Kyrie Irving To Return to Nets As Part-Time Player

With the surging COVID outbreak, and injuries, robbing the team of players, the Brooklyn Nets have done a drastic about-face, and removed their ban on Kyrie Irving. He will be returning to the team to play road games.  

ESPN Sources: With the unfolding circumstances of Brooklyn’s season – including injuries, Covid losses and an inordinate minutes load on their superstar players – the Nets are bringing back All-Star guard Kyrie Irving as a part-time player for games outside of New York.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 17, 2021

As reported by Adrian Wojnarowski, the massive minutes load on Kevin Durant and others is undoubtedly one of the factors behind the decision, along with the depleted roster. 

Once he completes a series of Covid tests, the unvaccinated Irving will be able to join his teammates at the Nets' practice facility to start to get back into game shape. He will continue to be unable to participate in home games at Barclays Center due to the New York City vaccination mandate. He is remaining steadfast in his refusal to get vaccinated. 

Nets owner Joe Tsai, GM Sean Marks, Coach Steve Nash and key players were fully supportive of the idea --- and Irving has been eager to return to play in the team’s away games. He can start practicing at team facility.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 17, 2021

As Woj reports, Nets owner Joe Tsai, GM Sean Marks and head coach Steve Nash are all in agreement on the plan. 

However, don't expect to see the 7-time All-Star back in the lineup too quickly. Reports say he will "take his time ramping up", per Woj, and the Nets are unclear of the shape he is in. 

The Nets currently have 11 (ELEVEN) players out, 7 of them due to health and safety protocols. What it will mean bringing an unvaccinated player into the mix remains to be seen.