Kevin Durant said he’s neither angry or offended about Kyrie Irving’s personal decision not to acquire the COVID-19 vaccine — or the Nets’ statement that he’ll be shut down for an indefinite period of time. The Nets superstar, who hasn’t spoken with Irving since the front office’s decision Tuesday, stated that the situation isn’t a “ideal situation,” but it’s one that isn’t controlled, and there’s no point in being upset about it because it won’t change Irving’s mind about his position.

“This is not the ideal situation coming into the season but it’s out of our control. What we can do is come in and focus on our jobs every single day. What is being mad going to do? It’s not going to change his mind,” Durant said after the Nets preseason finale win over the Timberwolves. “We’ll let him figure what he needs to do and let the team figure out what they need to do. Us as players, when we’re in the locker room or on the floor, we are going to work with each other. Life is amazing. I can’t be too mad at somebody making a decision for themselves. Who am I to get upset at that?”

Durant also stated that the club should concentrate on the future until further developments or an update on the situation materialise. He feels that when Irving is ready to speak with Nets GM Sean Marks and Nets Governor Joe Tsai, both will inform the players following the conversation.

“Just focus on what we got in this locker room and when Kai is ready, I’m sure he’ll talk with Joe and Sean and they’ll figure it out and tell us. Until then, we’ll keep grinding.”

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Steve Nash revealed he did not watch Irving’s Instagram Live video from late Wednesday night in which he explained his reasons and decision to not get immunised. The Nets’ head coach also declined to comment further on the subject until more information became available.

“To be honest, I did not listen to it. I believe I have spoken everything I needed to say about it. If something changes, we can discuss it, but I really want to focus on moving forward with our team and finding solutions to the challenges ahead of us,” Nash said before Thursday’s preseason finale. Nash also said that, like KD and James Harden, he has not communicated with the superstar guard.

Although Irving, who is unvaccinated, will be absent from the team in all roles until he is eligible to be a full-time player, Durant stated that he wants Irving well and that he will be a part of the team — and that this entire scenario would not have occurred. He is optimistic that both parties — Irving and the front office — can reach an agreement that benefits both sides.

“I definitely want Kyrie to be around. I wish none of this stuff happened but this is the situation that we’re in. Kyrie made his decision on what he wanted to do. He chose to do what he wanted to do and the team did the same,” Durant said.

“It’s on me to focus on me and do my job and let those two parties handle that situation. I want our whole team together. I want us at full strength but sometimes it doesn’t work out that way. I’m still positive that things will work out best for both parties.”

There is no secret replacing Irving’s production on the hardwood won’t be an easy task nor fully replaceable. Durant said things will be determined as the games go by and who among his teammates can step up and fill the voids.

“When you’re losing someone like Kyrie Irving, it’s hard on the fly to figure out where you’re going to get that production from. Over time, we’ll start to figure out which guys will step up and play and fill that void of those minutes, shots and opportunities,” Durant said.

Irving was a strong leader in the locker room in addition to his on-court success. Durant stated that the locker room currently has “good dialogue” between players and coaches, with Nash serving as the group’s major voice. He does not see a significant change in leadership.

“I think we’ll do it as a collective but as far as leadership in the locker room, everyone has good dialogue. Steve is the main voice. Coaches do a great job so I think we’re all in conversation about what we need to do and how we feel about the game,” said Durant on leadership. “I feel like everyone will help in that area as far as leadership.”

While the Nets’ choice to keep Irving away from the team prevents the matter from being an ongoing nuisance, Durant and everyone else in the locker room understand that inquiries regarding Irving’s predicament will arise throughout the season.

“I think it’s going to come up throughout the year. It might not be an everyday thing like it is now, but it’ll come up here and there. We pros. We understand. We know y’all got a job to do so it’s on us to focus in on our job and answer the questions,” Durant said.

“I anticipate it happening throughout the season and we knew what would happen if something like this happened as far as media-wise. Get prepared now and just get locked in on your job and everything else will take care of itself.”Bottom line though, the Nets players and coaches want to move on. They’ve got games to play, rotations to work on. After a preseason of “Will he, won’t he?” the Nets seem ready to move on. For how long remains to be seen. But for now, as Nash said pre-game, they now have “clarity.”