Post#34 » by RodyTur10 » Sun Feb 3, 2019 8:11 pm
Celtics fan here. I have been reading a lot of rumours and a lot of that is based on false information. That's not specifically this forum, but I feel the need to counter some of these rumours.
First of all the idea that Irving has his mind on leaving the Celtics. That is untrue. He literally said during pre-season presentation: ''If you guys will have me back, I plan on re-signing here''. Then after all these rumours about LA and New York he came out and responded again, because he was annoyed that his name was thrown in all that stuff (what he called: ''This is dumb ****'').
And then after questions about his future by journalists he said: ''I still have confidence in Boston and what they can offer for the future.'' Then a journalist asked him if anything had changed, since October, Irving frustratingly replied ''Ask me about it July 1st''. Postgame against the Knicks, Irving added: ''I have a focus on winning a championship this year and even me saying something like that isn't concrete enough for anybody''.
The reason why Irving hasn't signed an extension yet is simple: money. By waiting until July 1st, his new contract will be based on the increased salary cap and he can sign a 5-year contract for $188 million, instead of a 4-year extension for $101 million. And the Celtics will give him that extension. They won't let him walk and commit to Rozier to save money. Rozier is a good player, but Irving is clearly better.
In the unlikely case that Irving does decide to leave (anything can happen in the NBA, locker room incidents, fall outs with coaches, injuries etc.), you can be sure that he isn't going to the Lakers. The reason why he wanted out of Cleveland was LeBron James and now he would jump on the opportunity to come back? Be real, that's ridiculous.
Are the Knicks in play? Well at the moment I don't think so. Why did he have the Knicks on his list and not Boston?
Well, that's quite easy, Irving wanted to lead his own team and not play in the shadow of LeBron. At that time if you remember, Boston was the main rival of Cleveland and had just played the Conference Finals against each other and point guard Isaiah Thomas was the star player of the Celtics. To be asked to be traded to that team would look extremely weird and unlikely. That it happened was something very few people had foreseen. I can tell you that Celtics fans were shocked (me personally was surprised, but loved it instantly).
What if the Knicks trade for Anthony Davis and sign Kevin Durant, will Irving join them? I don't think that anyone can answer that question. However I do have some practical questions. Lets assume (big assumption) that Irving, Durant and Davis have mutual interest to play together in New York. First problem is that Davis can't chose where he's going to go, the Pelicans are in charge. So who's going to be the first to commit to that plan? What if Durant's and Irving's agent inform the New York FO that they're looking to sign there if they trade for Davis and New Orleans declines the offer? What if that information comes out? Is New York willing to risk everything on Davis, without the guarantee that Durant goes there?
My advice to the Knicks would be to sign Kemba Walker, which could be possible since the Hornets are going nowhere. Then sign some players to short contracts (like resigning Matthews and Jordan). In the weak East that can get you to the playoffs I think. And in 2-3 years, when your young guys have gained some playoff experience you try to sign a big free agent, just before the rookie contracts expire. Steadily progression gets you further than shooting for the stars.
* We have a Brunson Burner™ * 
