Kyrie Irving is adding even more speculation that we will see his return to the court. In a video the Nets point guard posted on social media, Irving showed himself lacing up a pair of basketball sneakers.
Irving's cryptic video comes only a day after NBA insider Shams Charania reported that there is a “renewed optimism” that Irving will be returning to action soon. In the video, the 29-year-old point guard is seen putting on a pair of Nike Kobe Bryant sneakers while wearing a pair of tights.
In the report, Charania said his sources are telling him that Irving's return to the team is yet unclear, and it's even more unclear whether Irving will be returning fully vaccinated or unvaccinated and only play during road games.
"It remains unclear whether Irving’s potential return this season would come via vaccination to meet New York City’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement or by Brooklyn opening the door for him to play road games and practice at home, but sources have indicated a renewed belief that Irving could play this season after all. Nets players and coaches want to have Irving rejoin the team as soon as possible.”
Irving has yet to play a single game this season because of his reluctance to take the COVID-19 vaccine -- which is mandated for indoor venues in the city of New York. The fact is that even if Irving decides to come back for this season, he would not be allowed to play against the New York Knicks and now the Toronto Raptors after Canada recently passed a new law that bans any unvaccinated player from entering the country beginning on Jan. 15.
The Nets would surely be a better team with Irving, however, in his absence, James Harden and Kevin Durant are holding the ship down in Brooklyn and currently sit atop of the Eastern Conference at 19-8.
Irving will be a free agent as early as 2022 if he decides to pick up his player option for 2022-23 that is worth $36.5 million.
Follow Jasper Jones on Twitter: @jonesj2342
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