Boston Celtics star point guard Kyrie Irving has met with Celtics ownership over the past few months and is committed long-term to the franchise, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Irving informally announced he plans on re-signing with the Celtics next offseason as a free agent at a fan event Thursday at the TD Garden.
“If you guys will have me back, I plan on re-signing here.” – @KyrieIrving https://t.co/0wDLzuv5WL
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 4, 2018
Irving, 26, can become an unrestricted free agent during the summer of 2019 if he declines his player-option for the 2019-20 season. The five-time All-Star is set to make $20.1 million this season, and worried fans in Boston after he didn't sign a contract extension with the Celtics this offseason. Looks like all of Boston can relax now, though.
Irving’s first year with the Celtics was cut short after the superstar guard underwent season-ending knee surgery in April. Before going down, Irving was averaging 24.4 points and 5.1 assists in 60 regular-season games while shooting 49.1 percent from the field, 40.8 percent from beyond the arc, and 88.9 percent from the free-throw line.
Irving was heavily linked to the New York Knicks, as he's from the New Jersey area. The Knicks reportedly have already made Irving their number one target in free agency next summer. New York, however, doesn't have the bright future that Boston does and it appears Irving is aware his reputation would take a big hit if he leaves such a historic franchise such as the Celtics.
With both Irving and Gordon Hayward healthy, the Celtics are primed to contend for a championship this season. Without Irving and Hayward during the 2018 postseason, Boston took LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals, so one would surmise the Celtics will be even more lethal with its two stars back.
Follow Us
Subscribe