Report: Irving opposed to NBA return, critical of league's salary disparity

Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving made it clear during a Friday conference call with players that he opposes the NBA's return but will ultimately stand by his peers if they decide to play, Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes reports.

Irving led a call featuring 80-plus players, including NBPA president Chris Paul of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers forward Carmelo Anthony, Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, and Irving's Nets teammate Kevin Durant, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.

"I don't support going into Orlando," Irving said, according to Charania. "I'm not with the systematic racism and the bullshit. … Something smells a little fishy. Whether we want to admit it or not, we are targeted as black men every day we wake up."

Irving also apparently touched on the disparity between the salaries of the league's top-tier superstars and those of the rest of its players.

"There's only 20 guys actually getting paid, and I'm part of that," Irving said, according to Stadium's Jeff Goodman. "Let's not pretend there's not a tiered system purposely to divide all of us."

Anthony and Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard also acknowledged the possibility of sitting out due to social issues and the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Charania.

Howard apparently noted that participating in the league's return in Orlando will draw attention away from the ongoing battle against social injustice.

Mitchell, meanwhile, reportedly expressed concerns about playing after an extended layoff.

"We're taking a big (injury) risk," he said, according to Charania.

The Jazz star added that some younger players felt their voices weren't being heard in the conversation regarding the fate of the season, which prompted an apology from Anthony and assurances that their opinions will be given more consideration moving forward, Haynes reports.

Mitchell later tweeted "stop it" early Saturday morning, responding to the notion he's considering sitting out the games in Orlando.

Players on the call offered varying viewpoints, with some against returning to play and others citing financial ramifications as a reason to resume action, sources told Haynes.

WNBA players also spoke about their league's issues and reportedly promised to stand in unity with the NBAers.