A panel of ESPN’s NBA reporters and analysts were polled this week about the 2019/20 destinations for several key free agents, and the voting results on Kyrie Irving‘s home for next season were of particular interest.
It was less than five months ago that Irving vowed to re-sign with the Celtics in 2019, but in the wake of his more recent comments on free agency (“Ask me July 1”), ESPN’s panel isn’t overly confident that the star point guard will actually remain in Boston — the Celtics received about 53% of the vote, followed by the Knicks, Lakers, and Nets.
While Irving’s long-term NBA home will be a popular topic of discussion between now and July 1, it’s not clear that the 26-year-old himself even knows yet where he’ll play next season. After all, if the Celtics are bounced from the playoffs in the second round by a team like the Bucks or Raptors, Irving’s view on the franchise might be significantly different than if the C’s make a run to the NBA Finals and give the Warriors all they can handle.
If Irving sours on Boston, a move to New York could be appealing. The Nets are further ahead in their rebuild than the Knicks and will have a maximum-salary contract slot available. Of course, the Knicks will have two such slots, which would give Irving the opportunity to bring another star player along with him.
The Lakers have become an increasingly popular hypothetical destination for Irving, given the Lakers’ need for a second star and the efforts Irving and LeBron James have made to mend fences. Still, it’s hard to imagine the two All-Stars teaming up again after how things ended in Cleveland. L.A.’s other team, the Clippers, might make more sense as an Irving destination — they’re ahead of the rival Lakers in the standings this season and could potentially create a path to two max-salary slots.
Of course, there will be other teams with cap room available, but if Irving leaves Boston, those New York and Los Angeles teams look like his most probable suitors.
What do you think? Where will Irving be playing when the 2019/20 season begins? Will he stick with the Celtics, or have there been enough red flags in Boston this season that you expect him to jump ship and get a fresh start somewhere else?
Vote in our poll, then head to the comment section below to weigh in!
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If Irving has soured on Boston it makes total sense: their GM has created a culture where no one on the squad feels any loyalty from the team.
God I hope it’s the Lakers. It would be the funniest story in the NBA since Bryan Colangelo disagreed with Bryan Colangelo on twitter.
A FA re-upping with his current team is always a good bet. If KI has doubts about Boston, then the Knicks would be players, but I don’t think they’ve set the table for him. Things (other guys) would need to come together quickly, which would require a lot of forethought. We have Mills/Perry/Fizdale. If KI really wants to leave Boston, and the Knicks can’t get out of their own way, then the Clips could be an option. But I’m thinking Boston has to be confident, unless the team has issues in the post season.
I don’t see any way he goes to the Lakers. His relationship with LBJ might have hastened his exit from Cleveland, but it wasn’t the main factor.
I will stay with KI & AD to NY. I’m less sure than I was because there is an alternate and plausible explanation to why the Zinger trade was made so quickly (his shortlist, not then public yet). But there is a majority chance he has been in communication with Mills/Perry.
But the move to the Knicks checks off a lot of boxes for him and his influencers. Race is a factor. And winning a title in Boston would be like the one won in Cleveland (esp now that he doesn’t blame James so much)… while a title with the Knicks would be the most satisfying. Bear in mind he does not think he can be stopped, and is not too wrong about that.
I think it’ll be KI & KD. If the Knicks get a top two pick, the cheap salary and talent of the pick is too good to trade when you can get two max free agents anyway. AD negates the pick as it will be part of the deal, along with the Mavs picks most likely as well.
It isnt really that cheap if he doesnt pan out. (See Markelle Fultz).
Yes Zion/RJ + Knox, Ntilikina, Robinson and probably a Mavs pick. That should give them the cap space to also bring in KD and Kyrie. Then its dumpster diving.
fyi Irving’s dad in boston is kind of a big deal. conveniently omitted
Bucks
Knicks and Clippers are probably what Kyrie is thinking at this point. I really doubt he stays in Boston, it’s just too obvious he doesn’t want to be there at this point.
Interesting the Nets were discussed. I know back before he went to Boston they were on his list but that was before Dlo, Dinwiddie and Levert starting balling. Too many cooks in the kitchen so I’d imagine a trade of one of those dudes if he does actually want to be a Net. He was a Nets fan growing up in Jersey so it’s possible I still think it’s either BOS or NYK.