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Latest Kyrie Irving-Nets update should terrify rest of NBA

ByJordanna Clark|
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 25: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets acknowledges the fans prior to Game Two of the First Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center on May 25, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 25: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets acknowledges the fans prior to Game Two of the First Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center on May 25, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)

Could it be true? Could Kyrie Irving be close to returning to the Brooklyn Nets?

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, there’s a renewed sense of hope that Irving will suit up for Brooklyn this year. This is big news for the Nets, who are 19-8 and in first place in the Eastern Conference without Irving. Imagine what Brooklyn would look like with Irving back on the floor.

Kevin Durant’s playing even more exceptional than usual, averaging a league-high 29.4 points per game. That’s been because the Nets haven’t been able to rely on Irving’s offensive production … but having their point guard back in the starting lineup would help to relieve KD and could even help James Harden, who would shift to shooting guard/part-time point guard.

While Brooklyn is hoping for Irving to come back, the other 29 teams must be feeling the exact opposite. The Nets were the preseason title favorites for a reason, and if Irving returns, it’s hard to visualize another team knocking off a healthy Brooklyn squad.

There’s hope that Kyrie Irving will rejoin the Brooklyn Nets this season.

Say it ain’t so. It seemed as if the chances of Irving being back in the Nets’ lineup had grown slim, but now a renewed sense of hope has replaced the doubt that Brooklyn fans were feeling.

While Steve Nash has said that he communicates with Irving, he said that the two talk about life and not basketball. For the most part, Irving’s lived his life in the shadows.

According to Charania, Durant and Irving have increased their communication over the past few weeks. The two have discussed life, but also about the team’s recent games and how Irving would fit into the lineup. That alone shows that Irving is considering a return, but how he’s going to get there still isn’t clear.

Is Irving going to get vaccinated? Or will the Nets decide to let him be a part-time player after all?

As of right now, Irving has to receive at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to enter Barclays Center. However, that’s going to change on Dec. 27, when individuals 12 years old and up are going to have to show proof that they’ve received two doses, or the Johnson & Johnson single dose.

There are still some hoops that Irving has to jump through, unless Brooklyn reverses that statement from Oct. 12. Since then, Charania said that the Nets haven’t paid much attention to the calls that they’ve received from teams inquiring about trading for Irving. They likely want him in their long-term plans.

Brooklyn is expected to welcome Irving back with open arms, but it’s still uncertain as to when and if that will happen. The waiting game continues, but it just took a turn for the … better?