Kyrie Irving says he’s not retiring and reason for not getting vaccinated isn't about Nets or NBA

NEW YORK — Kyrie Irving has finally opened up to the public about his future in the league and why he’s not vaccinated.

In an Instagram Live, Irving disclosed not only did he have no plans to retire from the game, but also that his vaccination status has nothing to do with the Nets or the NBA.

“Don’t believe I’m retiring, don’t believe I’m gonna give up this game for a vaccine mandate,” the Nets star said Wednesday night. “All these people saying all these things about what’s going on with me and it’s just not true.”

Irving did not say whether he planned to get vaccinated in the future, just that he made the choice not to be presently.

“It’s reality that in order to be in New York City, in order to be on the team, I have to be vaccinated,” Irving said. “I chose to be unvaccinated and that was my choice and I ask y’all just to respect that choice. And I am just gonna continue to stay in shape, be ready to play, be ready to rock out with my teammates and just be part of this whole thing.”

“This is not a political thing here, this is not about the NBA, this is not about any organization, this is about my life and what I’m choosing to do,” Irving continued.

Nets GM Sean Marks announced on Tuesday Irving would not be allowed at any practices or games regardless of location, until he received a COVID-19 vaccination. Rumors and reports from pundits around the basketball world arose afterward, some claiming Irving might get traded or simply retire if he did not get vaccinated. The latest report, released Wednesday, claimed the Nets would not be giving a contract extension to Irving.

“I’m praying for everybody that’s lost somebody or that’s dealing with this pandemic in some type of way and I just pray that we find clarity during these times,” Irving continued. “That’s just where I stand. Hopefully, all this can be figured out in the future and I’m able to play the game that I love and go after a championship with my team and be with my temamates. But also, I have to stand with those that are vaccinated and are choosing to go back to work and they have a job to do and I’m supporting them, and also the unvaccinated that are being mandated to do this and they’re losing their livelihoods.”

For now, the Nets plan to carry on without Irving. What Irving plans to do next is at his own discretion.