Breaking: Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks believes that Kyrie Irving will request a trade. Who should the Nets replace Irving with?

In the last 24 hours, general manager Sean Marks announced that superstar point guard Kyrie Irving is no longer allowed to participate with the team until he is vaccinated. 

Previously, Brooklyn was among four teams requiring complete vaccination from all its players to play in home games. The Brooklyn Nets are the first organization in the NBA to implement a stricter mandate for the vaccine to the point where the player can no longer even mingle around teammates in away games. 

While some may view this decision by Sean Marks as extreme, the Nets organization is at a point where they could no longer beat around the bush with Irving and had to set their priority straight. For Marks, people’s safety and elevating team chemistry were his motivations when altering the vaccine mandate. 

At this point, only reports and speculations have suggested Irving’s future with the Nets. With Irving feeling indifferent in taking the vaccine, what will both parties do to both feel satisfied? 

In 2019, the Brooklyn Nets won free agency by signing Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. While both superstars were not healthy to start the season, Brooklyn was immediately struck with different expectations for when both superstars became healthy. In the 2020-21 season, the Nets furthered their championship expectations, made a blockbuster trade, and added James Harden. The Nets formed a big three in a matter of two seasons! 

Unfortunately, that trio could come to an end this season, depending on what Irving will decide in the coming days. If he chooses to take the vaccine, the Nets are back in contention, and this saga can officially come to a close. However, if Irving is still negligent in receiving the vaccine, Marks will have no choice but to trade Irving. 

This is a difficult situation that the media and fans are currently witnessing. The Nets and Irving want to remain together, but they are far apart due to specific rules and mandates. Brooklyn has made their decision by implementing its updated mandate to Irving but, what will Irving do? 

If Irving wants to continue playing basketball, he will have to request a trade. However, this is unlikely. Irving has always stated that he plans to retire from basketball early while also mentioning more important factors in life than just basketball. While this is admirable from Irving, from a basketball perspective, this is a very frustrating mindset for a general manager trying to form a team competent enough to win a championship. 

The best solution for the Nets is to trade Irving to teams that are not as strict with their vaccine mandate. Even though Brooklyn stated that they are not interested in a Ben Simmons for Irving trade, the Portland Trailblazers could be the team to trade for Irving. 

Similar to Ben Simmons, Damian Lillard has wanted a new chapter in his career. He has been trying to make the NBA Finals for years, but the Blazers organization has failed to build a competent team around him. With Mark’s new vaccine mandate and Irving’s most likely refusal to accept that decision, Irving may request a trade in which a point guard swap could happen. 

If the Brooklyn Nets can successfully trade Irving for Lillard, they would likely be the unanimous championship favourites for the 2021-22 season. Although both guards are gifted in what they do, Lillard would be a better fit as Irving is more dictated to the game. Furthermore, Lillard wouldn’t bring any unnecessary drama and instead play every game of the season. However, this trade is enticing because Lillard is one of the best playoff performers in the NBA today. While Irving is also incredible in the playoffs, he is more injury-prone and more likely to miss games for personal reasons. The best scenario for the Nets is to try and convince the Portland Trailblazers to do a point guard swap.