NBA Notebook: Kyrie Irving's Nets future in doubt

With preseason basketball in full swing, we have plenty of news to discuss in this week’s edition of our NBA Notebook.

KYRIE IRVING’S NETS FUTURE IN DOUBT

After weeks of publicly expressing confidence that all Brooklyn Nets players would be vaccinated in time for the NBA season, team officials are now confronting the possibility that Kyrie Irving may not change his mind. Due to a government mandate in New York City requiring locally-based players to be vaccinated, Irving would be unable to play home games or practice with the Nets in Barclays Center.

The Nets have yet to decide whether they will "accommodate" Irving in his decision to be a part-time NBA player this season, nor is it clear what their options are should they decide not to.

Even if the Nets were to do the unthinkable and concede to Irving’s demands, that only delays the problem - the Nets are ultimately trying to win a championship, and that means holding onto home court advantage in the playoffs. Irving being unable to play in the playoffs at home is a complete non-starter. But trading Irving would also be difficult, not only because of vaccination complications, but because of his close personal relationship with franchise cornerstone Kevin Durant.

With or without Irving, the Nets are still contenders, but they become much more vulnerable to injury.

NBA GM SURVEY RESULTS

The results of the annual NBA GM survey were released earlier this week, and there were a few interesting results. To nobody’s surprise, general managers overwhelmingly predicted that the Brooklyn Nets would win the championship this year, but as dominant as they’re set to be, the respondents last year picked the Lakers by an even bigger margin. Jalen Green was voted most likely to win Rookie of the Year award at 47%, with No.1 overall pick Cade Cunningham coming in second at 40%. Curiously, the GM’s also believe that Evan Mobley, taken by the Cleveland Cavaliers third overall will be the best player in five years' time.

Despite a dominant Defensive Player of the Year campaign, Rudy Gobert was not selected as the best defender in the NBA - that honor went to Giannis Antetokounmpo, who received 47% of the vote. Could voter fatigue become a factor as Gobert tries to chase his fourth DPOY trophy? Or could a post-championship halo endear Giannis to the voters once more?

PRESEASON INJURY REPORTS

Unfortunately, the resumption of actual basketball has been accompanied by the usual rash of injuries. 

Jaxon Hayes of the New Orleans Pelicans suffered a high ankle sprain during preseason action against the Minnesota Timberwolves and couldn’t walk off under his own power. He missed the next Pelicans preseason game and it’s uncertain when he’ll be back.

Cody Zeller of the Portland Trail Blazers suffered a broken nose when Andre Iguodala elbowed him in the face after a dunk. Zeller is having surgery to repair the nasty injury.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Grant Riller suffered a torn meniscus in a game against the Toronto Raptors, and Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors suffered a knee injury and will be re-evaluated in one week. And in the first blow to the Los Angeles Lakers title hopes, veteran swingman Trevor Ariza suffered a severe ankle injury that could see him miss eight weeks of on-court activities.

And lastly, the Detroit Pistons' Cade Cunningham missed his first preseason game with a now lingering ankle injury. The injury was originally thought to be minor, but Cunningham has missed a significant amount of practice time and there is no timeline for his return. The Pistons will be understandably cautious with their prized draft pick, but a slow start could hurt him the race for Rookie of the Year, as bettors will remember that LaMelo Ball all but put a stranglehold on last years race within the first two months of the season. Jalen Green (+250), with his combination of athleticism and scoring prowess, could do the same in Cunningham’s absence.

18 EX-NBA PLAYERS INDICTED FOR FRAUD

In unfortunate news, 18 former NBA players have been arrested in connection with an alleged health insurance scam. The list of players, which includes Glen "Big Baby" Davis and Tony Allen among less illustrious names, are accused of filing false reports and trying to defraud the NBA's Health and Welfare Benefit Plan out of approximately $4 million. The players have yet to make public comment, and the NBA is cooperating with an investigation by the FBI.