Sean Marks on Kyrie Irving: ‘It’s ultimately going to be up to him’

There are new updates on Kyrie Irving’s playing status heading into the new season. The Nets organization has declared that the 29-year-old will have to choose between either getting vaccinated or not playing for an entire year after ruling him ineligible for team activities until he complies with the local vaccine mandate.

Nets GM Sean Marks knows the ball is now in Irving’s court and he will have to make a final decision quickly, or face severe financial consequences. Marks, along with the guard’s teammates, have respected Irving’s choice of not getting vaccinated so far, and Marks says the decision to miss the year or not is ultimately up to Irving.

“Kyrie (Irving) has made it clear that he has a choice in this matter, ” said Marks during a media availability on Tuesday. “It’s ultimately going to be up to him what he decides. We respect the fact that he has a choice and he can make his own right to choose — Right now what is best for the organization is the path that we’re taking.

…. We’ll welcome him back in open arms under a different set of circumstances,” Marks told reporters. “We have to wait and see how that transpires — Our goal ultimately is to be the last team standing and that’s what we’re going to be. Without a doubt losing a player of Kyrie’s caliber hurts from a talent perspective, no question, I’m not going to deny that.”