On January 4, Beijing time, The Athletic reported that after returning to the training ground a week later, Irving is expected to make his season debut in this Thursday's away game against the Pacers. The Nets' big three got together again, and Alex Schiffer analyzed the 6 major suspense that arose from it.
Suspense 1: How many games can Irving play?
Irving is still unvaccinated, not in line with New York's policy, and therefore missed out on all home games. He also can't play in the Knicks' two away games and one away from Toronto. If you count the Nets' extended games against the Blazers, Irving can play up to 22 regular season games.
Suspense 2: What is Irving's current state?
All reports suggest that although Irving has been on a long sideline, he has performed well in training. During his suspension by the Nets, Irving kept training in Northwest New Jersey and played some games, but he also said his first training session with the Nets last week was his first time playing against a professional since his ban. Nash and other Nets players have revealed that Irving's offensive performance is still sharp.
Suspense 3: Will Irving start when he returns?
Irving has started all of his 582 regular-season games in the past 10 years, and history shows that he will not play as a substitute. Therefore, it is expected that against the Pacers, he will also start.
Suspense 4: How has the Nets' rotation changed since Irving returned?
Alex Schiffer expects the Nets' away starting lineup to be the Big Three + Mills + Ade after Irving's return. The bench can get interesting, nash has been experimenting with rotations lately, against the Clippers, where he played sixth man with James Johnson and Clarkston, Griffin and Bembry as other substitutes. With Irving's return, will rookie Thomas still get playing time? As a periphery rotation, how will Millsap's situation change? See.
Suspense 5: How is Irving's salary?
Irving will only get his away paycheck this season because he doesn't qualify for home games. Although he only received $17.5 million, the Nets' salary book still counts $35 million, fully included in the luxury tax.
Suspense 6: What's the impact on the playoffs?
In December, Nets general manager Sean Max said Irving was in a precarious situation and had not yet decided whether he could play in the playoffs. Still, Alex Schiffer thinks it's unlikely that the Nets will reject future Hall of Famers during the most important period. They asked him to come back, naturally hoping to come in handy when he was needed most. It's just that if Irving doesn't get vaccinated and New York policy doesn't change, he still can't participate in the home games of the playoffs.