BOSTON (WEEI.com) -- Oh, boy. Here we go.
Remember Kyrie Irving's whole thing about planning to re-sign with the Boston Celtics? On Friday, he blew it out of the water.
Speaking to reporters in New York before the Celtics face the New York Knicks, Irving backtracked pretty substantially on his commitment to Boston.
"Ask me July 1," he said, when asked if he still plans to remain in Boston, also stating, "I don't owe anyone (expletive)."
In the next breath, Irving declared, "Boston is still at the head of the race." But that's hardly reassuring, given the acknowledgement of a race he has already led us to believe wouldn't be run in the first place.
What does this mean for the coming NBA offseason? After trading Kristaps Porzingis and shedding salary, Irving's hometown Knicks suddenly have money to spend and could conceivably land two max players out of a free-agent class that is also expected to include Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and Jimmy Butler, to name three.
Then there's New Orleans Pelicans big man Anthony Davis, whose trade request was the inital destabilizing event that led to Irving answering these questions on Friday. The Celtics were once considered the favorites for Davis, and if he is traded this summer, they have by far the most to offer to get him.
The tanking Knicks, however, could boast an ace if they land the No. 1 pick and the rights to Duke phenom Zion Williamson, making the Big Apple a potential destination alongside a free agent such as Durant who could further entice Irving.
By John Tomase
