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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Meanwhile, an NBA general manager reportedly told The Athletic’s Sam Amick: “I think Kyrie might not play in the NBA again.”
Other executives were reportedly more confident he’d get another chance, however only one of five front-office heads and six other executives showed any interest in adding Irving to their roster.
“He will not be on (our team), but someone will (want him). They always do for his talent,” an official said.
It comes after Irving was hit with his minimum five-match ban from Brooklyn without pay for failing to apologize for an anti-Semitic post on social media before eventually doing so after he was suspended.
Irving dropped by Nike, teammates react 03:18
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 is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, 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 his shoe deal with the sportswear giant worth approximately $AUD17 million-a-year since 2014 set to go up in smoke.
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