NBA News: Kyrie Irving Hints At Re-Signing With Brooklyn Nets During Offseason

KEY POINTS

Kyrie Irving says that he's not going anywhere this offseason
The Nets welcome Irving back home to the Barclays Center in their game to the Hornets
Irving hopes that other unvaccinated workers in the city can return to their jobs as well

It looks like the tandem of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in Brooklyn will have another lease on life after Irving announced his commitment for the long term.

Alex Schiffer of The Athletic reported on the development, with Irving citing his comfort within the city being one of the major factors.

“I think for me, it has always been about being comfortable, loving where I’m at, and I love it here. Once that summertime hits, I know we’ll have some conversations. But there’s no way I can leave my man (Kevin Durant) anywhere,” said Irving as quoted by Schiffer.

Irving’s hopes to play again in front of the Brooklyn Nets’ home crowd at the Barclays Center found fulfillment after New York City mayor Eric Adams announced on Thursday, March 24 that performers and athletes within the city no longer needed to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

This allowed the unvaccinated Nets star to make his home debut against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, March 27, with him putting up a double-double of 16 points and a team-high 11 assists in the 119-110 loss.

Losing to the Hornets dampens the Nets’ shot at a sure playoff spot by making at least climbing to the sixth seed, but there is hope that they can reach it as they are only three wins away from the Toronto Raptors.

However, the Nets only have seven games remaining on their schedule and it will almost take a miracle for them to avoid the play-in tournament as the Hornets, Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers need to lose a bunch of their games as well.

Meanwhile for Irving, he believes the same thing that Durant does in that this year is not a complete make-or-break season for them and that they are all enjoying the ride so far.

“I signed up for this for the long run, so I love this year. … I know our team sentiment here (is to) have something sustainable, not just put this together real quick and see what happens. But we will do our best,” Irving remarked.

The seven-time All-Star also acknowledged the exception he and other athletes received, telling Schiffer that he has been lobbying for all other workers to be allowed to go back to work despite being unvaccinated.

“It’s never been just about me (or) any special privilege or exemption… You know, now is the time to really get all of us included and get everybody back to work.”