Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving could return to the court should New York City withdraw or amend its COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Mayor-elect Eric Adams, who will be inaugurated on Jan. 1, has pledged to “revisit” the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for municipal workers.

Nets head coach Steve Nash told reporters Thursday that "if the mandate changes, [Irving] would be welcome back, for sure."

Nets owner Joseph Tsai has stated that he would like Irving to get vaccinated. The team said on Oct. 12 that Irving won't play for the team until his vaccination situation is resolved.

Tsai told ESPN that he doesn't know if Irving will play again.

“Either he has to be vaccinated in order to come back if the New York mandate is still in place. And don’t ask me when they may or may not change the New York mandate," Tsai said.

Irving, 29, has been the subject of trade rumors. The seven-time All-Star is coming off a season in which he averaged 26.9 points and 6.0 assists per game.

Before the start of the season, Irving posted on Instagram his explanation for not getting the vaccine.

“Nobody should be forced to do anything with their bodies,” he said. "I get to do whatever I want with this, this is one body that I get here. And you are telling me what to do with my body."

On Oct. 24, protestors flooded the entrance of Barclays Center, the Nets' arena. They chanted, "No vaccine mandate. Stand with Kyrie."

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