NBA Rumors: Kyrie Irving Open To Lakers Move In The Summer

The Boston Celtics are hoping to convince Kyrie Irving to commit his long-term future to the franchise when he enters free agency later in July, but NBA insiders feel that, at least for the moment, they are facing a losing battle. The point guard verbally committed to the Boston franchise in October last year but has since backtracked.

The New York Knicks were being touted as the favorites to land the Celtics point guard while the Brooklyn Nets were also considered a potential option. Irving is expected to team up with Kevin Durant at Madison Square Garden next season, with the small forward also expected to depart Golden State Warriors in the summer.

But, according to ESPN’s NBA insider Brian Windhorst, Irving has still not closed the door on a potential reunion with LeBron James at Los Angeles Lakers. Recently, a source close to Irving’s family told Stephen A. Smith there’s “no way in hell” the point guard would join the Lakers.

The Knicks and Nets may be higher up Irving’s list of potential new destinations but the Lakers still remain an option, with Windhorst stating that the six-time All-Star has dome some research on the organization.

"If you had asked me six months ago, I'd have said the door was closed and locked - [Irving signing with Los Angeles] was not going to happen. But over the last few months, there has no doubt been a thawing between Kyrie and LeBron, and Kyrie has become more open to joining the Lakers and has done some research on the organization,” Windhorst said on ESPN, as transcribed by Sporting News.

The report claims that the Lakers’ chances of landing Irving ahead of the Knicks and Nets diminished after Magic Johnson stepped down from his role as the team’s president of basketball operations. The point guard is said to have felt a connection to the Lakers legend but either way, the Celtics have been warned they should still be worried about the Los Angeles franchise making a strong play for their star player.

"With Magic leaving - that was a guy he felt a connection to - and with great opportunities in Brooklyn and in New York, plus Boston trying to keep him, I think the Lakers are lower on his list. But they're on his list, and that gives them a fighting chance. Boston has got to still be worried about the Lakers in the Kyrie pursuit,” Windhorst added.

Irving averaged 23.8 points and 6.3 assists for the Celtics during the 2018-19 season but had a poor run in the post-season as the Boston franchise tamely succumbed to the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round of the playoffs.