NBA Rumors: Anthony Davis open to joining Kyrie Irving-less Celtics?

NBA Rumors: Anthony Davis open to joining Kyrie Irving-less Celtics?

NBC SPORTS BOSTON By Darren Hartwell May 10, 2019 3:43 PM

The Boston Celtics' 2018-19 season is (mercifully) over -- which means it's time to fire up the Anthony Davis trade rumors once again.

The prevailing wisdom was that Boston is a serious suitor for Davis this offseason, but its chances of luring the New Orleans Pelicans star and keeping him past the 2019-20 season hinge on whether Kyrie Irving re-signs with the Celtics this summer.

The Athletic's David Aldridge offered an update on that prevailing wisdom Friday:

I’ve heard that Davis wouldn’t completely rule out staying with the Celtics without Irving, but the odds of him re-upping in that scenario are significantly lower.

That Davis would consider coming to the Celtics -- and signing a long-term deal after his contract expires next summer -- without Irving, is notable, especially considering the point guard's future looks much murkier these days after Boston's playoff exit.

Marcus Smart: Blaming Kyrie is "bulls---"

The 27-year-old has endured serious criticism after struggling in the Celtics' second-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks, leading some to wonder if Wednesday's Game 5 was his last in a C's uniform. The New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets are among several teams that would jump at the chance to sign Irving on July 1 if his "engagement" with Boston really is off.

As Aldridge points out, the Celtics likely will pursue Davis aggressively either way and take their chances on his long-term preferences, à la the Toronto Raptors and Kawhi Leonard. But it appears there is a scenario where Davis and Irving are just ships passing in the night.

112288

This age of basketball is tough on all teams. The money that is out there is overwhelming. Loyalty on both sides is basically not a priority. The days of a player playing his whole career with one team are over. There a really good players who have played on three, four, even five teams. This is too bad as the continuity, the relationships, the team liking each other and willing to playing together for the greater good.

No Kyrie, no AD.

KJ

If we got AD and no KI, more shots and better flowing offense for everyone and better team defense....could work.

The only way I see Davis coming here is if Kyrie is gone. Can't see how it makes sense for Boston to sign Irving, and then gut the team as it would need to, in order to acquire Davis. Totally backward concept to my way of thinking.

If Irving is gone, then yes, you do what you have to. You rebuild, maybe starting with Davis. Possibly, you turn the point over to a newly signed Rozier, and look for bigs in the draft or elsewhere, without rebuilding. If you keep Irving, you also keep Tatum, Smart, and maybe Brown too. Then you draft, trade for, or sign, bigs, to compete with Williams for minutes.

Rozier is a back up point at best, he doesn’t have the vision and ball handling ability to be a starting point, besides being a lousy shooter and terrible finisher.....

He is an athlete, he is not as good as a point as Ricky Davis was as a swingman, both athletes.

Davis wants to win. Why would he go be the only super star again?

KJ