NBA rumors: Kyrie Irving, Celtics to meet soon to discuss star's future

NBA rumors: Kyrie Irving, Celtics to meet soon to discuss star's future

NBC SPORTS BOSTON By Nick Goss June 17, 2019 2:03 PM

Kyrie Irving and the Boston Celtics will talk at least one more time before NBA free agency to discuss their future together.

The Athletic's Shams Charania reported Monday an update on Irving's situation, including an upcoming meeting between the two sides.

All-Star Kyrie Irving, who has decided to opt out of his $21.3 million deal for next season to become a free agent, and top Celtics officials will meet soon to discuss his future, league sources said. A potential meeting could occur before Thursday’s NBA draft sources said, as both sides could look for clarity ahead of the start of free agency on June 30.

Recent reports have linked Irving to the Brooklyn Nets, and the Boston Herald reported last week that the superstar point guard was "prepared to sign" with the Nets in free agency. The free-agent market opens at 6 p.m. ET on June 30, but contracts cannot become official until July 6.

Irving publicly stated to Celtics season ticket holders in October "If you guys will have me back, I plan on re-signing here next year." A lot has changed since that event, including a very disappointing regular season and playoff run for the Celtics that culminated with a five-game elimination to the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The 27-year-old guard played well for the Celtics in the 2018-19 campaign, averaging 23.8 points, a career-high 6.9 assists and a 40.1 percent mark from 3-point range. He was, however, part of the blame for the team chemistry issues that seemed to plague the group throughout the season.

Irving should have plenty of suitors in free agency, and teams including the Nets, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers are rumored to have interest in signing him.

If the Celtics don't re-sign Irving, keeping backup point guard Terry Rozier likely is the next best option at the position. Rozier is a restricted free agent this summer.

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A sit down before the draft is good news for Boston because it helps them to position themselves going into the draft and FA which begins in 13 days.

The Lakers would not be able to offer him as much as he can get from Boston, NYK or the Nets.

Him going to either NY teams took a big hit once KD went down. If he does not want to play for the Celtics we will find out in a few days. I think Boston still wants to retain his services despite all that has happened.

I certainly hope that this proposed meeting with Irving is just something that Ainge thinks that he should do for PR reasons and is not being done because he actually wants to re-sign this guy.

Yes, he is still talented, but has proven not to fit in with the Cs, should have been traded at the February trade deadline and now just needs to fade away.

Clyde,

Fade away, go away, ride off into the sunset, whatever.

Maybe they can talk about sign and trade possibilities. At least that would be a better exit strategy for both the team and us fans.