Did Anthony Davis' Agent Start Rumors Of Kyrie Irving To New York? Celtics, Knicks Eyeing Same Stars

There were plenty of significant deals made last week, but the 2019 NBA trade deadline was highlighted by the moves that have yet to be made. The Anthony Davis Sweepstakes will continue into the summer, and rumors regarding where Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving might end up in July are hanging over several franchises.

The impending free agencies of the two stars and Davis’ trade request are all connected. The decisions made by Durant and Irving could be heavily influenced by which team acquires Davis.

There’s also the matter of the Boston Celtics’ pursuit of Davis. It’s no secret that the Celtics plan to make the New Orleans Pelicans an offer for the league’s best big man when the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement will finally allow them to do so. Boston had been hoping that the Los Angeles Lakers wouldn’t acquire Davis at the trade deadline so they could enter the race this summer.

Davis, through agent Rich Paul, has made it known that he doesn’t plan to sign with Boston after the 2019-2020 season when he becomes a free agent. The Celtics believe that teaming Davis up with Irving—one of his best friends—will convince him to stay with the team.

What if Irving decides to leave Boston in a few months? The Celtics might be less likely to make an overwhelming offer to the Pelicans.

When the New York Knicks traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks to clear two max salary slots for the offseason, speculation that Irving was considering joining Durant in the Big Apple began to increase. One source told the Sporting News that the Celtics believe Rich Paul planted that rumor, hoping to convince New Orleans that Boston’s version of a “Godfather offer” might not be coming in the offseason.

If that is indeed what happened, it didn’t work. The Pelicans refused to deal Davis to the Lakers for a package that included Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and two first-round draft picks. Unless the Knicks win the draft lottery, the Celtics will likely be the favorites to acquire Davis when he goes back on the trade block.

Celtics’ president of basketball operations Danny Ainge denied the latest report Thursday on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Toucher & Rich.”

Speculation about Irving potentially joining the Knicks would have been strong regardless of whether or not someone planted any rumors. It’s been known for a while that the All-Star has thought about playing for his hometown team. Irving put the Knicks on his short list of preferred destinations when he asked the Cleveland Cavaliers for a trade two years ago.

Irving has also backed off the verbal commitment he made about staying with Boston at an event for season-ticket holders before the season began. When given the chance to say he would sign a new contract with the Celtics this summer, Irving told reporters at Madison Square Garden, “Ask me July 1.”

All eyes are on the Knicks after they traded the player that was thought to be the future of their franchise. Just about everyone seems to think Durant is headed to New York this summer, and the Knicks will look to add at least one more star to ensure that the two-time NBA Finals MVP leaves the Golden State Warriors.

That could mean trading for Davis, though their chances of doing so will depend on what happens in May’s draft lottery. The Pelicans reportedly turned down a trade offer from the Knicks a few weeks ago

Several All-Stars are set to hit free agency, but New York might be right to think Irving is the player most likely to team up with Durant. The likes of Kawhi Leonard and Klay Thompson have been linked elsewhere.

If the Celtics reach the NBA Finals, as they were projected to when the season began, they might not have to worry about Irving leaving. Doing so could put them in the driver’s seat to have both Irving and Davis on their roster for years to come, despite what the Knicks, Lakers or Davis’ agent are hoping.