Kyrie Irving Trade Rumors: Nets Remain Open to Discussing Deals for Star PG

If Kyrie Irving plays this season, it's not out of the question he could do so with a team other than the Brooklyn Nets.

Per SNY's Ian Begley, the Nets remain open to at least discussing the seven-time All-Star in trade talks.

This follows a report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski in October that the Nets were taking calls from teams about Irving but that they weren't initiating conversations.

Irving has been away from the Nets throughout the regular season because of his stance on the COVID-19 vaccine. He said on Instagram Live his decision to not get vaccinated is about "doing what's best for me."

Local mandates in New York City require anyone attending events at indoor venues, including professional athletes playing in games, to have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Even though Irving would be eligible to play games in cities without a local vaccine mandate, Nets general manager Sean Marks announced Oct. 12 the 29-year-old wouldn't be with the team until he could do so on a full-time basis.

There is no indication at this point that Irving plans to get the vaccine, nor has there been anything to suggest the New York City mandate will change anytime soon.

Irving is in the final guaranteed season of the four-year, $136.5 million contract he signed with Brooklyn in July 2019. He has a $36.5 million player option for the 2022-23 season.

Since losing three of their first five games, the Nets have gone 13-3 in their past 16 games and own the best record in the Eastern Conference.