NBA Rumors: Kyrie Irving, Celtics Could Be On Verge Of Breakup As Knicks, Lakers Eye Star Free Agent

The Boston Celtics are on the brink of elimination after a 113-101 loss at home to the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 4 put them in a 3-1 series hole. The team might also be on the verge of losing their best player with Kyrie Irving headed into free agency this summer.

A lot has changed since October when Irving stated that he intended to re-sign with Boston. The Celtics went from prohibitive favorites in the East to maybe the NBA’s most disappointing team. Irving backtracked from his comments amid rumors that he might be looking to sign with the New York Knicks, and speculation that he’ll soon be done in Boston is only getting stronger as the Celtics’ chances of winning a title continue to dwindle.

Irving isn’t exactly doing his part to keep Boston’s title hopes alive. After leading the Celtics in points and assists in a Game 1 victory at Milwaukee, the point guard hasn’t been nearly as good as Boston has needed him to be.

In all three of the Celtics’ losses, Irving has shot below 37 percent from the field. He’s missed 16 of his 20 three-point attempts, making poor decisions and failing to finish at the rim the way he usually does.

Boston’s shooting has failed them this series the way it did throughout much of the regular season. Irving was able to total 10 assists in Monday’s loss, despite his teammates going eight-of-34 from three-point range.

Talk of Irving leaving Boston as a free agent grew louder this year as his frustration with his teammates became more apparent. The former NBA champion probably won’t feel much better about the rest of the Celtics if the team can’t even make it beyond five games in the conference semifinals.

The Celtics currently offer Irving a much better chance to win than the Knicks. That could quickly change if he’s able to team up with Kevin Durant in New York. The Knicks will be able to sign two max free agents in the offseason, and most insiders seem to believe Durant will leave the Golden State Warriors for the Big Apple.

Six months ago, the idea that Irving might leave Boston for the Los Angeles Lakers was laughable. Irving demanded a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers so he could get away from LeBron James and have his “own” team.

But Irving has since acknowledged that being a leader has been more difficult than he thought it would be, and the 27-year-old has even apologized to James. The Lakers are looking to sign an All-Star in July. Irving knows he can win a title as the Robin to James’ Batman. A reunion between the two stars is at least a possibility.

Irving will have plenty of reasons to remain with the Celtics after an early playoff exit. Boston has a chance to upgrade the roster since they are considered the favorites to trade for Anthony Davis. The Celtics can also offer Irving the most money, and that could be a major factor for a player that’s dealt with several injuries throughout his career.

Making a deep playoff would’ve given Boston their best chance to keep Irving. As the Celtics head on the road for Game 5 in Milwaukee, the team’s odds of reaching the conference finals are slim.

In a few weeks, Boston’s odds of re-signing the six-time All-Star could be relatively similar.