Nets GM hints all players will be vaccinated against COVID-19 or cleared to play

The National Basketball Players Association was able to avoid the NBA mandating that all players be vaccinated against COVID-19 to participate in the upcoming season. However, those affiliated with the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets and Golden State Warriors must either be vaccinated or receive an approved medical or religious exemption to play in home games because of virus-related laws in New York City and San Francisco. 

According to Tim Bontemps of ESPN, Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks admitted on Tuesday that some players would be "missing" if the team had to practice for a game today but added that New York's COVID-19 guidelines regarding individuals entering arenas such as Barclays Center shouldn't be an issue for the club by the start of the regular season next month. 

"Obviously I can't get into details for a variety of reasons, whether it's HIPAA violations or whoever it may be, [but] I think we all understand what's at stake and we've had very candid conversations," Marks said about discussions he's had with players about getting one of the safe and available vaccines. "Those are individual decisions. ... It's obviously out of our control.

"We are supporting getting the vaccination and putting out a healthy squad. So at this point, I think we're ready to go into the season, we don't see these -- whether it's a city-wide mandate or a league mandate to follow -- being any sort of hindrance to us putting out a team." 

Marks didn't say who wouldn't be available if the Nets had to play today. Brooklyn hosts its first regular-season home game Oct. 24 against the Charlotte Hornets, so there remains plenty of time for personnel to get their shots before they have to take the court in New York.