NBA Hall Of Famer Says Brooklyn Nets Should Trade Kyrie Irving

There’s a chance Kyrie Irving won’t be able to play in the Brooklyn Nets’ home games because of his COVID-19 vaccination status. According to Shaquille O’Neal, that should be enough for the organization to trade the star guard.

"I would go upstairs and say, 'Get him up out of here,'" O’Neal told CBS Sports Radio’s "Tiki and Tierney" when asked what Brooklyn should do with Irving. "We can win with a two-punch and a great shooter and some rebounders like we got. Get his ass up out of here.”

Irving didn’t attend the Nets media day Monday because of New York City's COVID-19 protocols. The 29-year-old hasn't directly said whether he is or isn’t vaccinated, though multiple reports say Irving hasn’t gotten a COVID-19 vaccination shot.

Pro athletes that play indoors in New York City, as well as San Francisco, must prove that they’ve gotten at least one vaccine shot in order to compete in home games. If Irving isn’t vaccinated, he could miss 41 regular-season home games for the Nets.

The idea of trading Irving might not be realistic. Fox Sports’ Nick Wright reported that Irving’s representatives have made it known the All-Star would retire from the NBA if he is traded. According to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, Kevin Durant would prevent the Nets from sending Irving elsewhere.

With Durant, Irving and James Harden on the roster, Brooklyn is the overwhelming favorite to win the 2022 NBA Finals.

Irving led the Nets in points7 last season and was named an All-NBA Third-Team selection. The seven-time All-Star missed the final four games of Brooklyn's second-round playoff series because of a sprained ankle.

Irving is allowed to attend Nets training camp, which is being held in San Diego. Brooklyn is scheduled to host the Milwaukee Bucks in their first home preseason game on Oct. 8.