Brooklyn Nets superstar Kyrie Irving still hasn’t appeared in a game this season due to the fact that he is unvaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.
There has been some speculation about the possibility of Irving being traded, but the seven-time All-Star is still a member of the Nets today. According to an NBA executive, the market for Irving is apparently dry, as “every front office and coaching staff is scared to death of him.”
“For the most part, every front office and coaching staff is scared to death of him and doesn’t want to touch him,” the executive told HoopsHype. “Honestly, it might’ve been four teams before this (his refusal to get vaccinated). He’s a guy that front offices don’t trust. Coaches don’t want to deal with him. Players like him.”
The Nets have managed to go 7-4 over their first 11 games despite being without Irving. However, once the playoffs roll around, the Nets will certainly miss Irving’s services more than they already do if he’s still unavailable.
Although fans haven’t gotten the chance to watch Irving this season, he was still an elite player the last time he took the floor. He averaged 26.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists per contest during the 2020-21 season while shooting 50.6 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from deep.
The talent is clearly there, but it also sounds like his trade stock is damaged due to off-the-court concerns.
Time will tell if a team ultimately does pull the trigger on a deal for Irving. It’s still unclear if fans will be able to see the 29-year-old in action at any point during the 2021-22 season.
