Despite all the rumors linking him to the NBA’s two New York franchises, Kyrie Irving still hasn’t removed the Celtics from consideration as he mulls his free agency decision, multiple league sources tell Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald.
As Bulpett points out, Anthony Davis‘ trade destination and Kevin Durant‘s Achilles injury could be wild cards as Irving considers his options. There has been no definitive word on whether a Celtics trade for Davis would make Irving more likely to return to Boston, or whether the star point guard might hesitate to head to the Nets or Knicks if he won’t be able to team up with a healthy Durant next season. But it’s reasonable to assume that Kyrie will seriously weigh those factors.
For their part, the Celtics remain intent on trying to land Davis in a deal with the Pelicans, no matter what else transpires, sources tell Bulpett. We passed along all the latest rumors on Davis yesterday, including a report that the C’s remain engaged in trade discussions with New Orleans.
Here’s more out of Boston:
- Terry Rozier‘s comments after the Celtics’ season ended indicated that he wasn’t satisfied with his situation in Boston and may look to move on in free agency this summer. However, that stance could quickly change if Irving doesn’t return, according to A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston. A source tells Blakely that Rozier would be “more than open” to sticking with the Celtics if an Irving departure opens up a larger role.
- While agent Rich Paul‘s warning to the Celtics about trading for Davis raised eyebrows on Wednesday, it’s nothing new, says Jay King Of The Athletic, who points out that Boston has been aware for months of where AD’s camp stands. Within his article, King examines whether the Celtics should be cautious or aggressive in their pursuit of Davis, given the risk that he’d be a one-year rental.
- After word broke on Wednesday that Aron Baynes had exercised his player option to remain with the Celtics for 2019/20, Blakely explored the impact of that decision at NBC Sports Boston, noting that it provides some much-needed stability in what could be a tumultuous offseason for the club.
See you later Robin! Boston wants a Batman!
Apparently you have a player in Rozier who feels you don’t need a Batman nor Robin as he’s Superman. Yeezus….
My teams might be pitiful but I am laughing my butt off at how this narrative has played. I’ve NEVER heard a player, a bench player with a 38% FG career % say what he said on live tv TWICE!! If I’m Kyrie, I’m running from that mess with the quickness. He was NEVER seen as a cancer in Cleveland, and if you say so, show me where one “source” voiced that opinion.
Boston needs to focus on building with Brown and Tatum. Let Hayward go for Conley and bring back Marcus Morris.
Conley-Brown-Tatum-Morris-Horford makes for a top 3-4 seed in the East assuming Tatum and Brown make the strides I’m expecting.
Does memphis even want Hayward?
Exactly… if the celtics throw some dratt picks, thatcould get a deal done. I still think grizzles want yo hold to conly for first part of season to help mentor ja morant
Why wouldn’t they? You gamble on him returning to all-star form next season and he would slot in perfectly as a veteran scorer with Jaren and Morant. Bring back Jonás and fetch Redick a deal to play SG.
Why would they trade a veteran who is currently producing for a veteran you hope returns to form? Doesn’t make much sense for a rebuilding squad unless there is an actual asset of value going back to Memphis, player or picks.
Only way they would do a Conley for Hayward centered swap would be if Memphis own 2020/2021 draft pick was included in the trade…otherwise I don’t see a ton of incentive…you’re just moving one large contract for another in that situation…Hayward doesn’t have stand-alone trade value
Well assuming Kyrie Irving bolts you need to fill in that PG position. Nothing against Rozier but I’d rather have Conley running point, better floor general and would fit in better with Brad’s system than Kyrie did. Not to mention he won’t get in the way of Tatum and Brown’s development let alone take shots away from them.
Who are you suggesting was taking away shots from Tatum and Brown? Conley is NOT a pass first PG. If you feel you want more of a distributor then go after Rubio who’s a FA.
He’s much more of a pass first guard than Kyrie was and he’s better defensively as well. On top of that he’s not as ball dominant.
He’s not ball dominant the way Melo was evident by his career high 6 assists pg. He’s not ball dominant the way Harden tends to be by dribbling down the clock and jacking up a 3 or passing the ball with 3 seconds on the clock. Conley might be a better fit for the Celts but I don’t think he helps the team as well as Kyrie would if the rest of the team played together. I do wonder if signing Rubio wouldn’t be a better alternative however…
Memphis has no aspirations to contend next season. If you intend on having a vet on your roster with a $25-30 mil contract then they would likely prefer it to be Conley, a love vet who can mentor the 19 year old player their rumored to draft next week. Either you rid your roster of costly vets or you keep him to mentor your younger PG for at least half the season.
They trade conley for hayward only with 2 first picks… If not, It is no sense for memphis
Why are people so against Haywood? He had a devastating injury that always takes a lot of time to come back. Look at Eddie George. Haywood was an all star who showed some of that as the season progressed. I expect he will have a great season next year.
His recovery was clear but at 29 he doesn’t address Memphis goals. Agree with @kcf & maz… It would take 2 r1s to get Conley for that reason. Compared to a Rozier-led team, it would likely be worth it for Boston, as I doubt they will consider starting from scratch with recent rooks that by now have experience.
I would like to see an offense run through Hayward, somewhere.
celt’s locker room breathes easier, unreal toxic levels shud subside
Wow…..was Kyrie the one that went on ESPN and publicly said that he and other players resented the star players that cut into their playing time and in the case of Rozier inhibit him from displaying his talent in efforts to get the best contract possible? Is Kyrie the one that publicly said in that interview that they “sacrificed” their talent behind a proven 6x all-star who won a chip? Was Kyrie the one that said he resented the way Ainge and Stevens wanted to build the team around the talents of their two biggest stars they brought in 2 years ago? I can’t believe that blue-collar Cletics fans are buying the narrative that Kyrie was the problem. Kyrie gave you 6 assists a game, 24 points and shot 48% overal and 40% from the 3pt line. That’s what he was brought in to do. And yet, a BENCH player who for his career has a 38% FG % is the one PUBLICLY STATING that playing behind Kyrie and Hayward in the system that his GM and COACH implemented was inhibiting his ability to shine and get his paper next season. Wow…just wow. I wonder what Bird would’ve thought if he heard a teammate say that on ESPN. Not a “sources said” or perhaps a comment taken out of context. He said it on one ESPN show and then was brought on to First Take and asked to expound on his statement and then doubled down and reiterated it and more. Smh. What’s going on guys?
high volume shooter kyrie puts his stats before winning
You mean high efficiency shooter Kyrie, which by the way for the first time in his career has passed the ball this year! That what you mean! Dude had his best ever season & Boston couldn’t even take advantage of that, as the rest of the team, apart of Horford, are no use.
KI should go. Other players didn’t like his mood swings, he bad mouthed the coach…goodbye. KI was awful in playoffs. Not a great shooter. Rozier should go if he demands huge $. He should button it up if he wants to stay. Tacko would be fun addition.
Good luck with Tacko lol if you think Baynes is slow wait until see him.
Rozier is probably the biggest cancer in the league right now… Kyrie should leave, done it all for Boston & gets treated like dirt by his team mates & team. Just go & enjoy seeing Boston sinking next year if they rely in JB & JT & Rozier, what a joke of a team that will be. Hope Horford doesn’t have to endure a season with the kids alone.
Die hard UofL fan. Born and raised in Louisville. So I say this with a bit of hesitation BUT. Terry is a cancer and has insanely inflated ego. The kid is no where near the player Kyrie is. Hell if he was so good the Celts would have found a way to play him and Kyrie together A LOT more instead of having Smart. The reality is Terry is a backup PG in the league or maybe a starter for a team already with talent at other positions (IE Spurs but even there I like their other options). If any team signs him thinking he will be able to lead that team, they are going to REALLY REGRET that signing. But I doubt any GM is dumb enough to see him as an answer to lead. But then again I have seen a lot of dumb ass things done by NBA GM so I guess we will see
Rozier will Probably be traded after the Celtics offer him the qualifying offer to the Suns.
U of L fan, thanks for letting us know. He won’t be back in Boston….going public with those remarks…will make it hard for him elsewhere too. A good bench player with a bad attitude is a nonstarter. Collison could be signed. Good teammate…plays hard…good IQ…