Kyrie Irving reportedly hasn't eliminated Celtics yet...OR MAYBE NOT!

Kyrie Irving reportedly prepared to sign with Nets at start of free agency

WEEI Nick Friar - June 13, 2019 - 6:15 pm

Just when it seemed like there was a chance the Celtics might manage to hold onto Kyrie Irving, another report indicates he is leaving Boston. Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald is reporting multiple sources have given indication Irving is prepared to sign with the Nets when he officially becomes a free agent.

Brooklyn has been rumored as the favorite to sign Irving for some time, and Kevin Durant’s injury may have been what tipped the scales in the Nets’ favor over the Knicks. Irving reportedly changing representation to join Jay-Z’s ROC Nation was another sign that made it appear Irving was heading home.

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Kyrie Irving reportedly hasn't eliminated Celtics yet

WEEI - Gabby Guerard - June 13, 2019 - 2:58 pm

While Kyrie Irving rumors have fluctuated daily, the latest development comes from Boston Herald’s Steve Bulpett, who reports that the Celtics haven’t been ruled out yet.

“According to multiple league sources, Irving still has not removed the Celtics from consideration as he contemplates where to sign as a free agent, though the assumption around the NBA was he was looking to go elsewhere to join up with another marquee free agent," wrote Bulpett. “That concept was placed in some measure of doubt when Kevin Durant – the most prominent of the potential 2019 free agents – suffered a ruptured Achilles’ tendon in Game 5 of the NBA Finals Monday night.”

The Warriors star could opt-in and have Golden State pay him to rehab, or he could opt-out and sign a four-year deal elsewhere, meaning that the new team would have to pay for one year of rehab before he is able to compete in the following three.

As of now, there is nothing definitive that states whether or not Durant’s injury will impact Irving’s thinking. If Irving goes elsewhere to team up with Durant, he would have to wait a year before they could get the opportunity to compete together.

Another other factor for Irving is his brand.

According to Forbes World’s Highest-Paid Athletes in 2019, Irving makes $23 million solely from endorsements. That is more than half of his overall pay, which also includes salary and winnings, totaling $43.3 million. He is the highest paid Boston athlete out of all sports, ranking No. 25 in the world.

But the star hasn’t had nearly as much success in recent years, after leaving LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to come to Boston. From a marketing standpoint, it could be a risk to leave Boston, and then spend an entire year waiting for Durant before his new team could likely take off with two All-Stars.

At the same time, there could be a number of other reasons as to why Irving may want to play elsewhere, and there are more factors to consider than just Durant’s injury. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Wednesday, the Celtics and Lakers are engaged in trade talks with the Pelicans about Anthony Davis. It is unknown if a successful Celtics pursuit of Davis could make Irving more inclined to stay in Boston at this time.

Here’s what is for sure: On Wednesday, Irving did not opt into his $21.3 million deal and became a free agent. Then later in the day, he parted ways with his former agent Jeff Wechsler and now partners with ROC Nation Sports.

And for now, Boston hasn’t been officially ruled out as a possibility.

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DANNY PLEASE MOVE ON!

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Im actualy ok keeping the flat earth man -for now.

Ive been thinking of what this could do for a season.

° Baynes of course stays.

° Kyrie gets his max deal and sticks around.

°Boston does a sign and trade with houston, sends rozier, & #22 and this years second rounder to houston for
Capela.

°Resign Theis and Morris.

°Extend horford three more seasons.

° Pick the best player availible at 14, trade 20 for a first next season

°See if we cant use the mle for Isaiah thomas, second year a team option

With 14 and Capela this would be an overall improvement in talent i think, and largely lets the team including Kyrie get a shot at redemption..

If it doesnt work out next season we again have three first in what will likely be a better draft class- then if kyrie needs to go, we can get a decent haul in return as well.

I like this idea much more than going all in on a one year rental of davis with or with kyrie, davis will be too expensive to get when it comes to what we would have to give up.

I don't see why Houston would give us Capela for Rozier and the #22 pick?

I mean what does  Rozier give them, they have Harden, Paul (un-tradable contract) and Gordon in the back court now?

sure the Celtics would enjoy that theft, but why in the world would Houston do that?

I mean even IF they are tearing it all down.....Rozier and #22 is not near enough of a return. Capela is  young enough (and on a good deal) that he would likely be part of any rebuild,

Houston would want Tatum or Brown back for Capela, IMO.


I still thank Danny wants to trade for Davis and Keep Irving, myself. We'll know soon enough I suppose.

I don’t know about Rozier except in a 3 team deal. Morris could make sense though.

15 million 1st rounders and Danny cannot find a big to develop.

dboss wrote:15 million 1st rounders and Danny cannot find a big to develop.  

That's going to need to change.

dboss wrote:15 million 1st rounders and Danny cannot find a big to develop.  

Robert Williams