The Houston Rockets will reportedly pursue free agent point guard Kyrie Irving this offseason if their top target James Harden decides to stay in Philadelphia.

The Rockets are expected to have a ton of cap space and have the means to pay a superstar like Irving or Harden, but Shannon Sharpe said on Undisputed that the Rockets should be wary of signing Irving given his history with a young core around him.

“Remember last time Kyrie [Irving] had a really young core? That was called the Boston Celtics,” Sharpe said. “It didn't work out very well.”

Irving spent two seasons with the Celtics. Boston reached the Eastern Conference Finals in his first season but Irving did not play in the postseason following a knee injury. He helped the Celtics return to the postseason the following year in 2019 but Boston fell in five games to the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round.

Article Continues Below
More NBA News
New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) controls the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard J.R. Smith (5) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Carmelo Anthony fires back at Michael Beasley over 1-on-1 claimJake Faigus ·
How first 3 NBA Finals games set new social media views record
How first 3 NBA Finals games set new social media views recordChris Spiering ·
NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks in a press conference during All Star Saturday Night ahead of the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center.
Adam Silver addresses complaints over NBA Finals courtsZachary Draves ·
NBA logo on left, Adam Silver on right. Make the background the Las Vegas skyline at night.
Exclusive: 3 ‘credible groups’ ready to bring NBA expansion team to Las VegasJoey Mistretta ·
Michael Carter-Williams in a boxing ring with boxing gloves
Former NBA Rookie of the Year is pivoting to a career in boxingDerick Quinanola ·
NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks before the Paris Games 2025 NBA basketball game between the San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers at Accor Arena.
Adam Silver was shocked that NBC got Michael JordanZachary Draves ·

Houston indeed does have one of the youngest rosters in the league. Of the 17 players currently on the roster, only five of them are over the age of 24.

The Rockets may feel like they have a legitimate chance at signing Irving that includes more than just the salary they have at their disposal. New Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was an assistant coach with the Brooklyn Nets during the 2020-2021 season while Irving was on the team.

Kyrie Irving's free agency is already one of the most anticipated storylines of the NBA offseason. If he were to go to the Rockets, it would likely come as a shock to NBA fans across the world.