Kyrie Irving has informed the Boston Celtics that he intends to re-sign, which eliminates the Los Angeles Clippers from courting him in the 2019 summer.
Kyrie Irving informed Boston Celtics fans at a fan event yesterday that he intends to re-sign with the Boston Celtics next summer when he hits free agency. With this news, the Los Angeles Clippers need to narrow their focus towards Kawhi Leonard and other possible free agents.
Irving reportedly has also already begun discussing a new deal with Boston management according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Sources: As Boston star Kyrie Irving says at Celtics fan event that he plans to re-sign with the team next summer, Irving has also communicated with Boston ownership over past several weeks and verbally committed plans to stay long-term.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 4, 2018
Prior to this news breaking, several teams were seen as potential suitors for Irving. Although the New York Knicks were seen as the primary team to go after him, the Clippers had been mentioned. Their name cropped up once the Jimmy Butler trade saga began as many felt the two may look to pair up in Los Angeles when they hit free agency next summer.
Alas, Butler has wavered on where he would like to end up and Irving has apparently made his decision, so the Clippers will have to focus elsewhere. Notable names who are going to be available include Leonard, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Kemba Walker and Khris Middleton. The Clips will also have Tobias Harris entering unrestricted free agency.
Now, with one big name off the board, the team will have to make sure they have a plan on whom to go for. LA will have potentially two max-contracts available to hand out, so they will likely try to sell the idea of pairing up to win a championship.
Whoever the targets are, Jerry West, Lawrence Frank and Michael Winger will have their work cut out as they try and court them away from their current franchises.