After announcing on Thursday night that he plans to re-sign with the Celtics once he’s eligible for free agency next summer, Kyrie Irving reiterated that stance today, telling reporters that he has “every intent” to reach a new deal with the Celtics on July 1 (Twitter link via Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe).
As Irving explained, his decision to stick with the Celtics was influenced by the club’s young core of players, including Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart, as well as an appreciation that the franchise was willing to take a chance on him and get him “out of Cleveland” (Twitter links via Mark Murphy of The Boston Herald).
The five-time All-Star added that not wanting to move again after getting comfortable in Boston was also a factor in his decision, per Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe (Twitter link). “Honestly, thinking about starting over was just a sh**ty thought,” Irving said today.
According to Himmelsbach, Irving initially told the Celtics that he would publicly declare his intent to re-sign during a group interview prior to Thursday’s fan event. But that interview came and went without Irving addressing his future — he decided to make his announcement in front of fans later in the evening instead.
Here’s more on Irving and the C’s:
- Irving told a small group of teammates on Wednesday afternoon about his plans to re-sign, as Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston details. The news was a “nice surprise,” according to Al Horford, one of the teammates in attendance. “Just his commitment to the organization, and a sense that we can put all the speculation behind us and focus on the season,” Horford said. “That was very big of him to do something like that.”
- Marcus Smart was also excited about Irving’s decision, A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston relays. “It means a lot when you have a guy that has won at the highest level, has been where you want to go, wants to do it again with you,” Smart said. “It’s great for him, the organization and this city that he wants to come back.”
- A league source tells Jay King of The Athletic that Irving and Pelicans star Anthony Davis have spoken about what it would be like to play together in Boston. Irving and Davis are both on designated rookie extensions though, and teams aren’t permitted to trade for two players on those contracts. So if the Celtics want to make a play for Davis, it would have to happen in July 2019 at the absolute earliest, after Irving signs a new contract.
- Speaking to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge asserted that Irving is capable of being “the best player in the world” on a given day against a given team.
- A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston examines several players who will be affected by Irving’s free agency decision, including Jimmy Butler, Kemba Walker, and Terry Rozier. We opened up a discussion earlier today about Rozier’s future.
I just dont see davis going to celtics with rich paul as his agent. Lebron not gonna help kyrie win rings lmao. Delusional. Lakers have a problem being they have too many wings and not enough spaces to play. Judging by on court chemisty between ingram and lebron kuzma seems to be the odd man out, if he cant play center he will be the center piece along with picks maybe wagner for ad. You can book it in now.
“LeBron is the only player on the Lakers with Rich Paul as his agent.” LeBron’s age and the fact that marquee players want to play with team players (Warriors, Rockets, and Celtics). They don’t want to play 2nd fiddle to an elder LeBron. LeBron is about Hollywood now, not Anaheim.
If Popovich asked for Kuzma, Ingram, Hart, and the right to swap 2 1st round picks for Kawahi, the Pelicans would surely ask that for Davis.
The Lakers will get Dwight Howard, Demar DeRozan, Paul George, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, and Klay Thompson too. Like Bill Simmons the well known L.A. sports guy said, LeBron won’t win any championships. When his contract expires, he’ll be a 37 year old contemplating retirement. You can book it now. You are delusional.
1. Why would you mention Dwight in this? No Laker fan would ever want him back. 2. Bill Simmons is a Boston sports guy.
Why would the article say Bill Simmons Los Angeles sports writer? He’s one of the former ESPN guys. Two. I was referring to the fact that LeBron is the only marquee free agent to sign with the Lakers since Kobe left, and he only did it because of Hollywood. The Lakers may get someone like Khris Middleton, but the marquee free agents are staying away because they don’t want to play 2nd fiddle to LeBron. Third this doesn’t matter because the Warriors intend to stay together, can afford it, and the Lakers will never get by them.
Bill Simmons-September 3, 2018. http://www.TMZ.com- LeBron will win ZERO rings in Los Angeles, sitting in the back seat of a car with door open and flashing the zero sign. I don’t know why there is a need to discuss the Lakers. The Warriors are heavy favorites, like todays sports says Kyrie makes the Celtics to be favorites in the east for several years, and Houston will be competitive. They are the only ones we need to talk about.
He’s a die hard Boston Celtics fan, who happens to reside and write in LA now. Obviously he’s going to be very biased against both LeBron and the Lakers separately, and now even more since they’re together. Also if we don’t need to talk about the Lakers, then why are you talking about the Lakers?!
Because you are on an article about Kyrie wanting to stay in Boston trying to stir up stuff like you always do. The Warriors, Celtics, and Pacers are what I care about. Go back to your Lakers articles, and stay off the Kyrie stuff.
You’re delusional. Have a good day buddy I wasted my time replying to you.
I’m also very intelligent. If you continue to troll the Celtics and Warriors, we’ll know you are stirring it up. We are total opposites.
Kyrie said recently that he believes the Celtics can beat the Warriors in a 7 game series, and his experience against them is beneficial to Boston.
Kyrie spent this summer playing with Kevin Durant at Jamaal crawford’s camp in Seattle, and also in Miami.
Steph Curry recently named himself, Kyrie, Pete Maravich, and Magic as his Mt. Rushmore of ballhandlers.
While The Athletic writer said Anthony Davis could be between Boston and Los Angeles. Isn’t Anthony eligible for an extension next summer, and have a contract option in July 2020 (that’s why The Athletic says New Orleans may want to trade Davis if he declines the option)? If LeBron has 3 years and an option in Los angeles, when Davis option comes up, LeBron would be 35 years old, and have 1 year before his option is up. Like the Athletic says Davis and Kyrie have already spoken to each other about playing in Boston.
Bill Simmons, the L.A. sportswriter recently said that LeBron won’t win another title in L.A.
Reports say Minnesota is upset that Butler’s camp leaked wanting a trade to Miami, they wanted it kept secret. Kyrie also let people know that wanting to play with Butler came from Butler’s camp, he hasn’t spoken to him since 2016.
A. Davis to Boston for J. Brown, T. Rozier, multiple first round picks, and…???
I hope they do get him. With the draft in June and free agency in July, and Horford eligible to opt out, Rozier eligible, and Brown eligible for an extension, it’ll be interesting. I’m not worried about the Lakers. They don’t have the assets to trade for Davis, and they won’t have the money to sign him when he can opt out 2 summers from now.
The more and more you spew uniformed info it makes me believe you are truly scared the lakers will be winning rings yearly. Did lebron steal your girl or not sign an autograph for you a couple years back. Lmao cant wait to get the best players and win rings just for haters like you lol
You really are mindless. The Lakers won’t even make it past the Warriors the next 4 years you mindless Warrior and Kyrie hater. You will be on the outside watching the Warriors and Celtics. LeBron has played in his last Finals. Bill Simmons knows “a ton” more about sports than you do. Get over it. LOL
semi/yabu type guys. Probably Smart instead of Rozier. All 4 first round picks
2019 celtics: brow (trade), durrant (free agent), tatum, kyrie, gordon, horford + pieces
The Sporting News says the center position will be a problem for the Lakers. Javelle McGhee has only averaged 15 minutes per game and played with 4 All Stars who can defend. Zizic isn’t the long term answer. Kuzma can play small ball. LeBron has never played center, doesn’t like to play with young players, and at his age doesn’t like to play uptempo. As soon as LeBron leaves the Cavs they go to an uptempo, pass friendly offense.
That’s Sports Illustrated.
Dude have you even watched the Lakers play this preseason. They’re playing very fast and LeBron seems to be having a lot of fun playing with these young guys. If he didn’t want to play with young players then why would he choose LA? Also please stop regurgitating things that you’ve read nobody comes on this site to see you reporting. Can’t even spell Javale McGee right either.
Only tools dont want to play w LeBron. Did Kyrie go to the Finals? No. Will Jimmy Butler? No. Will Kawhi in Toronto? Unlikely. So you ‘dont want to play with LeBron’ that’s basically saying you have no championship aspirations. Now this roster has no shot at beating GSW but Houston is beatable.
Please read “What does Kevin Durant Want” @Zach Lowe twitter. He says he doesn’t want to be compared to Michael Jordan, he isn’t about awards, and he’s into winning, not winning championships. It’s exceptional. Another article Durant says he likes Golden State because the guys care about each other and look out for each other. He says he likes his day when he can walk into practice and there is no judgement, and he loves it where he’s at. I’ll read about and watch Durant and Kyrie all day.
Kyrie hit the winning shot in the 2015 NBA Finals against the Warriors. Danny Ainge says he’s the greatest player in the World. I’ve said I intend to watch the Warriors and Boston games. “Experts” have projected them to be in the next several Finals. They play together, and I love that. Luke is right, “The Athletic” is great. You choose your teams and cities and the articles are good. If I see a good one, I’ll let these guys know. Like I said Los Angeles isn’t on my list. I haven’t seen the Lakers play since Kobe left. I don’t care to read about them. All my reading and watching will be devoted to the Warriors and Boston, and I intend to see them playing each other in the Finals the next 4 years. The Warriors respect Kyrie, and he respects them. The betting sites have Boston, the Warriors, and Houston as the favorites to be in the Finals, and that’s who I’ll watch. There’s several fools who don’t want to be 2nd fiddle under LeBron and Magic would love to have them.
Lastly I wouldn’t need to write all this stuff if the Kyrie haters who follow the Lakers now would stay off the Celtics and Warriors stuff. I’m staying off anything that is Laker related.
You don’t need to go on about Lebron after a Kyrie article. Move on.