Duke basketball: Blue Devil could be forfeiting at least $17 million

A former Duke basketball star could be forfeiting at least $17 million this season. 

There are many things people would do for at least $17 million, but receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is perhaps not something former Duke basketball star Kyrie Irving would do for that amount of money.

That is the decision the Blue Devil is facing as he could be banned from playing in New York City without his vaccination, according to the New York City local health guidelines.

New York City has put laws in place stating that people need to be vaccinated against the coronavirus in order to work in the city. And without his shot, Irving is not allowed to play at Barclays Center or step foot in the Nets’ practice facility in Brooklyn.

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Opponents do not have to be vaccinated to play in New York; however, all players on the New York Knicks and Nets must be vaccinated when their team visits either Madison Square Garden or Barclays Center.

There are other vaccination requirements across the United States of America, specifically in San Francisco, and Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins was not vaccinated before he learned of the forfeiting of his salary for missed home games.

Wiggins has since been vaccinated and is available for practices and preseason games for the Warriors.

How much money could the former Duke basketball star lose if he remains unvaccinated?

ESPN’s Bobby Marks provided a breakdown on how much contract money Kyrie Irving would not make this season if he does not get vaccinated, and it is a very significant amount.

Brooklyn stars Kevin Durant and James Harden, who are vaccinated, continue to tell the media that they support the stance of Irving while head coach Steve Nash remains unbothered by his starting point guard’s status.

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Kyrie Irving only played in 54 games for the Nets last season but was sparkling when he was on the floor as he averaged 26.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game and shot 50.6-percent from the floor and 40.2-percent from 3-point range.

Time is running out for Kyrie Irving to get vaccinated and be fully available for the regular season, but he will be an option for the season opener for the Nets as Brooklyn is on the road to face the defending NBA Champs, the Milwaukee Bucks, on Tuesday, October 19.