Kyrie Irving is one of several big-name players projected to reach unrestricted free agency during the summer of 2019, but it appears his free agency will be a mere formality. During the preseason, Irving announced to an arena of Celtics fans that he intends to re-sign with Boston next July. According to reports, the star point guard has privately conveyed a similar sentiment to C’s management.
Despite Irving’s proclamation, executives around the NBA still have Irving’s name on their free agent big boards for 2019, as ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported earlier this week. Windhorst notes that verbal commitments are just that, and that they don’t come with any guarantees — there’s nothing stopping Irving from changing his mind between now and July 1.
While that’s true, it undersells the explicit and public nature of the commitment Irving made this fall. Typically, when free-agents-to-be are asked about their futures, their answers are evasive. Some refuse to address the subject at all, telling reporters that they’re focused on the season or that they’ll let their agents handle the business side. Others express interest in re-signing with their current teams, but add a caveat or two — they “know it’s a business” or they “hope the team feels the same way” or they’ll “see what happens.”
In Irving’s case, his declaration didn’t leave any ambiguity: He intends to re-sign with the Celtics, and is only waiting to do so because signing an extension now wouldn’t make sense from a financial perspective. It’s the sort of vow that we rarely hear from top free agents, many of whom prefer to keep their options open and don’t want to risk angering a fan base by making a promise they might not keep.
Still, we’re more than eight months away from July. If the Celtics struggle to meet expectations this season, will Irving be as enthusiastic about signing a long-term deal next offseason? If he suffers another knee injury, will the C’s be eager to put a massive multiyear off on the table? While Boston certainly wants to keep Irving, the team hasn’t made any promises of its own. It’s possible that the situation could change significantly in the coming months.
In my opinion, it would be very surprising if Irving and the Celtics don’t eventually finalize a new deal. However, it can’t be considered a total lock until he puts pen to paper next July.
What do you think? Does it make sense to essentially cross off Irving’s name from 2019’s list of free agents, or will he and/or the team have second thoughts within the next eight months?
Vote below in our poll and jump into the comment section to share your thoughts!
Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.
Knicks will get Butler and Rozier or Butler and Kyrie.
2019 Knicks lineup
Kyrie-Butler-Knox-Porzingis-Robinson
Or
Rozier-Butler-Knox-Porzingis-Robinson
I’m willing to bet they get no more than 1 of those 3 players you named. Even more likely they get none of the 3.
I think for sure Butler, Kyrie or KD goes to NY. At least one of them. But something is telling me Kyrie stays with Boston and Butler goes to the Clippers. Maybe I’m wrong, who knows. I really think it’s 50-50 with Kyrie staying in Boston but if he doesn’t he will be in NY. The only problem I see is if Kyrie doesn’t go to NY I think Butler will go to the Clippers.
After a surprising first round exit, he will go back on his word, sign with Knicks, take us to the promised land, then be immortalized where he grew up. #Kyrie pulling a Gordon Hayward. Celtics will still be a playoff team w/ or w/o him, because Brad Stevens is a damn good coach.
A man can dream right?
How many free agents have been taking the money and staying home? A lot! Paul George for instance. Most of the marquee names have been staying put.
I would wager the cheaper extension wins out… Rozier.
Since we’re all talking like we live in Narita, Kyrie gets dumped to the pels for Davis and holiday and wilt chamberlains ghost.
referring to sac’s lotto pick i.e. zion?
Didn’t know the Pelicans had Chamberlain’s remains.
If Irving wants the max Boston may not be the team offering it.
I doubt the statements made by Irving and Kemba Walker will mean much in 9 months. And they shouldn’t. People should be able to include the lastest info before signing.
I love watching Kyrie, but I believe it would be in our best option to let him go. Trade him now and get something before he just walks away.