NBA Rumors: Kyrie Irving's Injury History Concerns Teams, Boston Celtics Will Still Offer Max Deal

Kyrie Irving might be the most polarizing free agent that will hit the open market this summer. There is a debate regarding just how good a team can be when the point guard is their best player and whether or not it would be a smart idea to give him a max contract.

Those questions were magnified during Irving’s time with the Boston Celtics. Last year, injuries prevented the All-Star from competing in the playoffs, likely costing Boston a shot at reaching the NBA Finals. Irving remained on the court for much of this season, but he didn’t perform well enough to get the Celtics out of the second round.

After a disappointing end to the season, many Celtics fans don't want Irving to return. Boston will almost certainly try to keep their best player, though signing him to a long-term deal would come with its share of risks.

An NBA executive told FS1’s Chris Carter that some NBA teams have worries about Irving's long-term health.

Injuries have plagued Irving's young career, preventing him from finishing the postseason in both 2015 and 2018. An injury forced Irving to miss most of Duke's games in his only college basketball season. He's missed at least 15 games in three of the last four seasons.

When Irving was healthy with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he won a championship as the team’s second option. He was the perfect No.2 star to play alongside LeBron James, which is partly why there is speculation that he might be headed to the Los Angeles Lakers this summer.

Irving has never even reached the conference finals as the No.1 option. He probably isn't quite good enough to be the best player on a championship team.

Between injury concerns and questions about his leadership, a team would probably feel more comfortable offering Irving a max contract if he's going to be their secondary star. A potential union between the New York Knicks and Irving might make the most sense, considering Kevin Durant is largely believed to be headed to the Big Apple. The duo could team up with the Brooklyn Nets as an alternative.

Boston is going to offer Irving a max contract, according to Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix. There's more risk involved for the Celtics, who can give the guard a five-year deal. Other teams with cap space are only allowed to offer him four years.

There will be a ceiling on the Celtics’ potential if Irving is their best player. Boston is hopeful that the 27-year-old won’t have to be that guy for them next season.

The Celtics are arguably the leading contenders to trade for Anthony Davis. The organization is optimistic Irving will want to return if the team can acquire the New Orleans Pelicans’ big man.

A max offer from the Celtics would be worth close to $188 million. Other suitors will present him with a deal worth about $139 million.