The Brooklyn Nets are bringing back All-Star guard Kyrie Irving as a part-time player for games outside of New York and Toronto once he is able to pass a series of COVID-19 tests and get back in shape, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The unfolding circumstances of Brooklyn's season -- including injuries, seven players including James Harden lost to health and safety protocols and an inordinate minutes load on Kevin Durant, who will not play Saturday against Orlando at home due to right ankle soreness -- led the team to this move, sources said.

So far, Irving has been unwilling to satisfy New York City mandates and become vaccinated to play home games or in road games at Madison Square Garden, but the turbulence of the ongoing NBA season has caused the organization to reconsider their preseason decision to fully sideline Irving, sources said.

The All-Star point guard's return isn't expected to happen quickly. Irving has to test negative on five successive days before he can rejoin the Nets. Once he returns, Irving has to test every day as an unvaccinated player.

New York City's mandate allows Irving to practice at home, and the Nets agreed with Irving on a plan that would allow him to start ramping back up for a return to play, sources said.