Sixers: 3 reasons not to trade for Kyrie Irving

Why the Sixers should not trade for Kyrie Irving: Covid vaccine status

I want to make clear off the bat that I am not saying the Sixers should not trade for Kyrie solely on the basis of him not being vaccinated. As he and many others have said on numerous occasions, getting the vaccine is a personal choice. There are consequences of that personal choice though. One of those being that there are a number of cities with NBA teams that have city and state guidelines that do not allow unvaccinated players to play in their respective arenas.

Currently for the Brooklyn Nets, Kyrie is unable to play home games. Imagine a playoff scenario where the Nets try to tank at the end of the season in order to ensure they play more away games than home games. Most teams have a home court advantage, but the Nets would have an away court advantage in the playoffs because Kyrie can’t play in Brooklyn.

Obviously local guidelines could change as our global COVID situation could change, but why trade for a player that may only be available for half the team’s games. There has been speculation that due to the NBA’s small fines related to unvaccinated players being in arenas that the Nets ownership could be willing to pay fines totaling less than $100k to have Kyrie available to play in all home playoffs games going against league rules.

The public relations nightmare and backlash that would come out of that situation is not something the NBA needs and I guarantee the loophole will be closed prior to the playoffs arriving. The fact that it is even being discussed proves how talented of a player Kyrie is and how star players receive different treatment. Basketball is a team sport though, and Kyrie should be doing everything to be back for his team, not just make others accommodate for him.