Duke basketball: Kyrie Irving banned from Brooklyn Nets until vaccinated

Former Duke basketball guard Kyrie Irving has been banned from the Brooklyn Nets. 

The saga that stems from former Duke basketball star point guard Kyrie Irving has come to an end for the time being.

Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks announced on Tuesday morning that the former Blue Devil will not be allowed to be a part-time participant with the team and will be banned from all team practices and games until vaccinated against COVID-19.

Irving has been firm not receiving the coronavirus vaccine at this time despite New York City mandates to be vaccinated against the virus in order to work in the city.

Last week, the decision was made to allow Irving to practice inside the Nets facility because the building was privately owned, but the All-Star still could not play in games held at the Barclays Center.

Previously, Irving was only going to play in road games for the Nets this season due to the vaccine mandate.

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All other members of the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks have been vaccinated and are allowed to fully participate with their respective teams.

Kyrie Irving could be forfeiting as much as $17 million for not getting the vaccine as the Nets still will not pay the former NBA Champion for missed home games.

Marks said to the assembled media that the Nets would welcome Irving back to the team with open arms if he decides to become vaccinated.

Kyrie Irving has yet to publicly address the latest decision from the Brooklyn Nets.

What could be the next step for the former Duke basketball guard?

Assuming Kyrie Irving does not get vaccinated, there are a handful of things that can happen with the former Blue Devil.

First, the Nets could trade Irving to a team in a city that does not have a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, such as the Philadelphia 76ers.

Philadelphia star Ben Simmons, who reportedly has shown up to the team’s facility in the last 24 hours after a training camp holdout, has requested a trade this offseason.

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Another option for Irving could be to retire, which many NBA analysts and commentators have suggested should be a real option for the seven-time All-Star.

Lastly, Kyrie Irving could continue to wait out the length of the COVID-19 pandemic and remain banned from the Brooklyn Nets until further notice.

The Nets will open the 2021-22 season on the road against the defending NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, October 19 at 7:30pm EST on TNT.