Although many Celtics fans have turned on Kyrie Irving following a disappointing playoff performance, losing him in free agency would be a worst-case scenario for the franchise, writes Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston. Even though he damaged his reputation and alienated younger teammates this year, Irving remains among the league’s best players at a crucial position, Forsberg states, and would be very difficult to replace.
Even if they subtract Irving’s $21.3MM salary for next season, the Celtics won’t have much cap room to work with, assuming Al Horford opts for one more season at $30.1MM. Losing Irving would also leave Boston without a superstar presence who might attract other stars or inspire Anthony Davis to sign a long-term deal if the Celtics trade for him.
A sign-and-trade deal involving Irving probably isn’t realistic, Forsberg adds. The Celtics wouldn’t be able to offer a fifth season in that scenario and it would only benefit a team that doesn’t have the cap space to sign him. Teams where Irving might be headed, such as the Knicks, Nets, Clippers or Lakers, can already offer a max deal.
There’s more out of Boston:
- Tuesday’s draft lottery will help define the Celtics’ plans for the offseason, notes Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald. With the Clippers’ pick at No. 20 and their own selection at 22 already in hand, Boston will wait to see what happens with the Kings’ and Grizzlies’ choices. The Celtics will receive Sacramento’s pick unless it lands at No. 1 and Memphis’ choice if it’s outside of the top eight. All those selections could be valuable in a potential trade for Davis.
- Gordon Hayward is eager for another offseason to continue his comeback from a devastating ankle injury, Bulpett relays in a separate story. “I’m definitely looking forward to having a good summer, not dealing as much with rehab but still definitely working on the ankle and all that type of stuff,” he said. “But that’s going to be nowhere near as much as before. I’m a lot of time removed from the surgery, and that’s for sure exciting. Now I can do what I’ve always done every summer, and I’m for sure looking forward to that, getting back to that and really digging in and trying to have a really good summer.”
- Micah Shrewsberry tells Dustin Dopirak of The Athletic that his decision to leave the Celtics’ staff for a job at Purdue was simply a matter of preferring the college game. “My personality is more geared toward the college side,” Shrewsberry said. “I’m a relationships guy. If you would ask anybody that’s run across me, I value relationships, continuing and maintaining and having those. That’s something you get in college.”
I don’t think it’s the worst-case scenario if he leaves! Just think of all the draft picks they have to not trade away to make themselves better!
Is Kyrie Irving really on the level of a “superstar” in the NBA? He is a well known name and a good player, but he misses way too many games. I don’t think of him on the same level as Durant, Harden, Westbrook, Curry, Giannis, LeBron, Davis, Kawhi, or several others. He seems like either a #2 or #3 guy on a good team or the best player of a weak team.
Totally agree, and I think he proved it this year. I may be among the few who expects Hayward to be a star again next year. And I expect the young players to return to their previous form. Irving delayed their progress by dominating the ball.
Anything is possible, but at this point that is just wishful thinking. In reality the Celtics are looking pretty beat up as a whole.
“Misses too many games”
Kawhi
Curry
Davis
I’ll give you Kawhi and Davis, but Curry has missed more than 10 games only 3 times out of 10 seasons. Kyrie has missed more than 10 games in every season but one. And that one he still missed 7. He averages 18 missed games a year.
That being said, both Kawhi and Davis are better players on the floor than Kyrie.
If you lose Irving go get kemba walker.
Trade the 1st round picks to NO for davis plus brown and roll with walker Hayward Tatum Davis and whoever else you round the roster off with.
Think the article implied they can’t afford that if Horford opts in.
I think lakers should target kyrie without a real scorer on the roster. I also wouldnt rush trying to trade for ad for all of our youth when next year you can have him for $$$. I think lonzo and kyrie fit well together. Then ingram and bron and the forward postions which already improved over the course of the season. Then either resign mcgee or go grab cousins on a 1 year prove it deal. Youth, depth, and second star. Fits too well.
Agreed!!
LBJ is t a “real scorer”?
“kyrie can go walk off the flat earth” boston fans, teammates, coaches, and ownership
Very good BB player, but has crap between his ears, let him walk, cut bait and move on, to many young players to develop without wasting time on this crap head.