Kyrie Will Leave Celtics, Cavaliers Owner Says, Lakers Still An Option?

Kyrie Irving verbally committed to re-sign with Boston Celtics prior to the start of the 2018-19 season but has since backtracked and refused to reiterate his commitment. Cleveland Cavaliers' owner Dan Gilbert is the latest to join the bandwagon that feels the point guard will leave the Boston franchise.

The Celtics guard left the Cavaliers via a trade in 2017 in order to get out from under the shadow of LeBron James and lead his own team. Irving got the opportunity with the Celtics, who have a roster packed with young talent, but his first two seasons have not gone according to plan.

"I don't know, but I think Kyrie will leave Boston," Gilbert said of his former player to the “Plain Dealer's” Terry Pluto, as transcribed by Bleacher Report.

Kyrie’s first season saw him miss the entire post-season after helping the Celtics to the second seed in the Eastern Conference during the regular season. The team, without their All-Star point guard, went within one game of making the 2018 NBA Finals.

The Celtics were touted as one of the favorites to progress from the East in 2019 owing to the availability of Irving, but despite the guard having a good season individually, the team failed to find cohesion. It finished fourth in the regular season and then succumbed tamely to the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round of the playoffs.

Meanwhile, NBA insiders are predicting the New York Knicks are favorites to land the Celtics guard, with a potential partnership with Kevin Durant being touted. The Brooklyn Nets are also said to be an option for Irving.

However, questions remain over his desire to join Los Angeles Lakers and reunite with James, his 2016 NBA championship winning teammate. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith quoted a source close to the Irving family, saying that there was “no way in hell” the guard would reunite with his former teammate, but revealed recently that Irving had been speaking to Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, which could indicate the team is still not completely out of the picture.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently revealed that the door which seemed completely shut in terms of a move to Lakers was said to be open again, and Irving was said have had some discussions with regards to play for the Lakers next season. The appointment of Jason Kidd as new Lakers head coach Frank Vogel’s top assistant was also said to be playing a role in the six-time All-Star considering Los Angeles as a potential destination.