Brad Stevens Won't Talk To Kyrie Irving About Potential 2019 Free Agency

Kyrie Irving’s impending free agency in 2019 has been one of the most discussed topics this NBA off-season. But Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens refused to get dragged into the discussion ahead of the new season.

The Celtics point guard can opt out of his deal with NBA’s most successful franchise and become an unrestricted free agent in 2019. It looks almost certain to happen after he confirmed earlier this year, he will not sign a new deal with the Celtics this summer.

Irving’s decision not to extend has linked him with a move away from Celtics in 2019 to a number of teams being touted as possible destinations. But the New York Knicks have been the most talked about franchise with a potential union with Minnesota Timberwolves’ Jimmy Butler at Madison Square Garden.

There is no clear indication from Irving’s camp about wanting to leave Boston and it could be that he opts out only to re-sign with the franchise on a much more lucrative deal that he is currently on.

Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd says Irving potentially moving to the Knicks in 2019 is a "real thing" despite suggestions otherwise. While the Brooklyn Nets are also said to be considering a move for the player, who named Nets legend Jason Kidd, as one of his idols while growing up.

Coach Stevens, however, made it clear he will not speak to Irving about the potential free agency when they get together for the training camp ahead of the new season. He remains fully focused on getting the players ready and helping them as long they remain with the Celtics.

The Celtics head coach believes the franchise have the right environment to be successful in the long-term and remains hopeful that Irving sees that and decides to make TD Garden his home in the long-term.

“I’m not going to talk to him about it at all,” Stevens recently told Yahoo! Sports’ Chris Mannix, as quoted on NESN. “One of the things I want to do is give everything I can to all these guys while they’re here. Hopefully, the people that are here recognize that it’s a really good environment with a high upside for a long time. It’s some place that will be committed to them, committed to their overall game and enhancement and off the court and everything else.”

Irving made it clear, when he rejected talks of a new deal, that his thoughts are not about his future or a new contract but to help Celtics to the NBA Finals and win a championship. They came close last season despite Irving sitting out the playoffs due to injury and were just one win away from making the final.

Stevens echoed his star point guard’s comments and admitted the only thing on his mind right now is they “can’t wait” to get back to work preparing for the new season.

“There’s no real discussion to be had. It’s more, ‘We can’t wait to get to work’,” Stevens added.