Celtics: Kyrie Irving Talking About Staying In Boston Beyond 2019, Report Says

Kyrie Irving’s future at the Boston Celtics continues to be a major source for speculation especially after the point guard made it clear he will not sign an extension this summer.

Irving joined the Boston franchise from the Cleveland Cavaliers prior to the start of the 2017-18 season and played a key role in helping them finish as the second seeds in the Eastern Conference. The guard’s season was cut short due to a knee injury and he had to watch from the sidelines as his team made it to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals before losing to the Cavaliers.

The Celtics are keen to retain the star point guard in the long-term, but he confirmed earlier in the year he was not interested in signing a new deal at the moment and was ready to wait until the end of the upcoming campaign to make his decision. Irving revealed he was keen to focus on leading the Celtics to the Championship in the upcoming season after seeing them just fall short of the summit clash in his debut season.

Irving will have the option of opting out of his deal with the Celtics in 2019 and becoming an unrestricted free agent — giving him the freedom of moving to the team of his choosing. He has been linked with a move to the New York Knicks with reports stating he wants to team up with Minnesota Timberwolves’ Jimmy Butler.

That report was disputed recently suggesting that it was coming out of the latter’s camp and Irving was happy in Boston where he is surrounded by a team with full of potential. And according to Boston Herald’s Steve Bulpett talks about Irving leaving are pre-mature as he is said to be talking about staying in Boston beyond the 2018-19 NBA season.

The reason for him not signing a new deal could be related to the financial aspect of it as he will be able to earn a much more lucrative deal if he opts-out and re-signs with the Celtics when he enters free agency in 2019.

“Three agents told the Herald they fully expect Irving to opt out and leave next summer, but sources connected to the player reiterated in the last two days that, while there are miles to go between now and the end of the coming season, the All-Star guard is quite pleased with his Celtic surroundings and has been talking about the future here beyond 2018-19,” Bulpett was quoted as saying by NBC Sports.

The news will be welcomed by Celtics supporters and the franchise’s hierarchy, who are keen for him to remain at the TD Garden well beyond his current contract. Irving — a five-time NBA All-Star — is currently recovering from a knee injury, but is expected to be ready well in advance of the new season.