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A16 sports
Thursday 12 May 2022
For future with team, Nets want more commitment from Irving

NEW YORK (AP) — Kyrie Ir- They began the season Kevin Durant, who signed
ving may have to show the playing without Irving, de- an extension last summer.
Brooklyn Nets he's more ciding they didn't want him He said after the season
than a great basketball to be a part-time player. he saw those two players
player if he wants a future They eventually brought "managing this franchise
with the team. him back in December to together" alongside Marks
General manager Sean play road games only — and owner Joe Tsai.
Marks made clear Wednes- a decision Marks wouldn't Marks said they haven't
day that Irving will have to second-guess — with Irving had any contract discus-
prove a commitment to unable to play in New York sions yet with Irving but said
being available to his team because of the city's man- the Nets know what they're
that wasn't there this sea- date requiring vaccination looking for.
son. to perform in public ven- "We're looking for guys that
After Irving missed almost ues. want to come in here and
all the Nets' home games An exemption to the man- be part of something big-
because he refused to be date made him available ger than themselves, play
vaccinated against the Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) drives past Boston Celtics for all games in late March, selfless, play team bas-
guard Marcus Smart, left, during the first half of Game 4 of an
coronavirus, Marks said talks NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 25, 2022, but by then the Nets were ketball and be available,"
about a potential contract in New York. climbing out of a huge hole Marks said. "And that goes
extension this summer will Associated Press and had to win a play-in not only for Kyrie but for ev-
need to include an evalu- game just to reach the erybody here."
ation of his dedication to need everybody out there championship favorite fin- postseason. Irving has an option for al-
play unless he's injured. on the court." ish seventh in the Eastern Irving is eligible for an ex- most $37 million next sea-
"I think those are going to The Nets rarely had that Conference and get swept tension this summer and son, but could seek an
be discussions," Marks said. during a disappointing by the Boston Celtics in the said he sees himself remain- extension that would pay
"It's a team sport and you season that saw an NBA first round. ing in Brooklyn alongside him an additional $185
million over four years. His
play seems worthy of it, as
Irving averaged 27.4 points
last season, which would
have ranked eighth in the
league. But he played only
29 games in the second
straight season in which
he missed time when he
wasn't hurt. Irving took a
leave of absence from the
team during the 2020-21
season, missing nine games
for personal reasons.
This time, Marks acknowl-
edged that Irving's absenc-
es put an extra workload
on Durant. He said the Nets
need to have deep dis-
cussions after this season,
including about their play-
ers' intentions. Irving never
specified why he wouldn't
get vaccinated, saying it
was a personal choice.
"What drives them? Do they
want to be part of this? Are
they motivated by some-
thing that maybe is not
good for the whole team?"
Marks said. "So those are
questions we're going to
have to ask ourselves and
also the players that we
want to bring back in here."
Marks provided good news
on Ben Simmons, whom he
said is already feeling bet-
ter after having back sur-
gery last week to relieve
pain from a herniated disk.
Simmons never played
for the Nets after they ac-
quired the former No. 1
pick from Philadelphia in
February.q