Kyrie Irving Goodbye Thread

[chrisab123]

Reload mentioned Horford not wanting to play with Kyrie moving forward. If that is 100% true, I seriously if we could pull off a deal with Horford to GS for Durant provided KD signs a long term deal. We give Horford a chance to compete for a title as soon as next year, he gets his wish of not having to team up with Kyrie anymore, PLUS we allow Kyrie and KD to team up which they clearly want to do. Yes, next year would probably end up being a waste, but after that.....

Even if the Celtics made a crazy deal for KD Kyrie is gone.

[Parliament10]

Celtics reportedly could meet with Kyrie Irving before NBA Draft
by Grey Papke | June 17, 2019

https://larrybrownsports.com/basketball/celtics-could-meet-kyrie-irving-nba-draft/500500

The Boston Celtics are looking to get clarity on Kyrie Irving’s future as quickly as possible.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Celtics will meet with Irving in the near future to discuss his plans for free agency. That meeting could come before the NBA Draft on Thursday.

Irving has unsurprisingly elected to opt out of his current deal, and the two sides will want to know each other’s thinking before free agency officially begins on June 30.

This will end up being a big moment in Boston’s offseason. The franchise is stuck at a crossroads right now while waiting for Irving’s decision. If he re-signs with the Celtics, they can make an aggressive run at a championship, but his departure would probably require them to refocus and build around their talented core of young players.

[The_Ghost_of_JB]

Celtics reportedly could meet with Kyrie Irving before NBA Draft
by Grey Papke | June 17, 2019

https://larrybrownsports.com/basketball/celtics-could-meet-kyrie-irving-nba-draft/500500

The Boston Celtics are looking to get clarity on Kyrie Irving’s future as quickly as possible.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Celtics will meet with Irving in the near future to discuss his plans for free agency. That meeting could come before the NBA Draft on Thursday.

Irving has unsurprisingly elected to opt out of his current deal, and the two sides will want to know each other’s thinking before free agency officially begins on June 30.

This will end up being a big moment in Boston’s offseason. The franchise is stuck at a crossroads right now while waiting for Irving’s decision. If he re-signs with the Celtics, they can make an aggressive run at a championship, but his departure would probably require them to refocus and build around their talented core of young players.

Isn't it a etched in stone he's leaving now that there pictures of him moving out of his house? Any meeting with the Celtics is strictly a dog and pony show.

[canman1971]

Hi, lets post the same report over and over and see if something changes.

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

"Hey Danny - how come we didn't trade for AD? I would have stayed if we got him"

Danny Ainge:

[soxfan2003]

Celtics reportedly could meet with Kyrie Irving before NBA Draft
by Grey Papke | June 17, 2019

https://larrybrownsports.com/basketball/celtics-could-meet-kyrie-irving-nba-draft/500500

The Boston Celtics are looking to get clarity on Kyrie Irving’s future as quickly as possible.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Celtics will meet with Irving in the near future to discuss his plans for free agency. That meeting could come before the NBA Draft on Thursday.

Irving has unsurprisingly elected to opt out of his current deal, and the two sides will want to know each other’s thinking before free agency officially begins on June 30.

This will end up being a big moment in Boston’s offseason. The franchise is stuck at a crossroads right now while waiting for Irving’s decision. If he re-signs with the Celtics, they can make an aggressive run at a championship, but his departure would probably require them to refocus and build around their talented core of young players.

Isn't it a etched in stone he's leaving now that there pictures of him moving out of his house? Any meeting with the Celtics is strictly a dog and pony show.

I suspect Irving told Ainge he wants to play for one of the NY teams to be closer to family but if that for some reason doesn't happen, he would still strongly consider Boston. So, I am assuming it is basically an exit interview and given KD is not a realistic possibility, I am glad that Kyrie Irving is departing. Hopefully, Celtics/Irving don't bad mouth each other on the way out and fans give Irving a decent applause when he next plays in Boston.

I hope Ainge learns from the Irving mistake and going after him with no plan to take the next step while Irving was on a value contract was a mistake.

[Upperclass]

Kyrie has been gone for awhile now..

[threrf23]

If he wants the Lakers, can he be sign and traded for 125% of their available cap space?

Unfortunately, the Lakers have no assets to give us...or maybe a sign and trade (i.e. for Rondo or KCP) is possible if they don't renounce everybody right away? It'd allow us to save our MLE for someone else.

[Tiny ball]

I hope we get a Bulpett article after the meeting that explains essentially how Kyrie justified his unhappiness to Danny and Brad and his reasons for leaving them holding an empty bag after we gave him exactly what he claimed he wanted in the beginning.....

Part of me sort of wonders if this meeting couldn't be a 'come to Jesus' moment for Kyrie and they can agree to give it another try BUT from all reports outside and inside it sounds like he's gone. All of that aside from the one Bulpett report that claimed he hadn't completely closed the door on a return to Boston.

I just don't understand how you can give up an extra year of a contract, more money, a great team with an opportunity to contend for the next decade and a team where you are hailed as the de facto "leader". The latter being the most important since that's basically the his gripe was in Cleveland. I really want to hear his justifications/reasons for leaving that all on the table. All of this after he, according to reports, wrote the verbiage for that god damn Nike commercial.

If he does leave, I don't remember who mentioned in on here, but I'd give anything for the team to play that commercial during the first time out of our first home game with the Nets That would be **** epic.

The Celtics pieces don't fit that well together for postseason basketball. So, Kyrie is making the correct decision to leave the Boston Celtics for the Brooklyn Nets. Less pressure. More happiness. He will still be a household name. Yes, probably lots of first and 2nd round exits even if they get KD but he will be paid lots of money and be home playing for a team he used to root for.

I don't think Kyrie is as good as some of his biggest fans think or as bad as his fiercest critics think but I can't blame him for going to play for the Nets.

Celtics didn't go all in trying to win this year with Kyrie and Hayward looking like he may be healthier/better by postseason. In Kyrie's shoes, what would give you confidence that they will next year?

I wouldn't be confident. Kyrie may have correctly determined that Ainge viewed him more as potential trade fodder in a year or two than a player worthy of building around. If that is the case, why not choose your own destination?

I actually applaud and not criticize how Kyrie so far has handled his FA decision this off-season. Hasn't badmouthed Boston but in a low key way he has just signaled he is a goner. Firing your agent and hiring someone connected to the Nets is obviously a sign. Buying a home in area is a sign. Now packing up your bags to leave Boston sure seems like the final signal.

Danny imho did not go all in to try to win this year. I'm clueless as I'm not involved don't know the money how other teams valued our assets. It just appears to me you are right.

[ParticleMan]

Kyrie is gone. too much smoke around that fire. it's not ainge's finest move on balance, but we gave away almost nothing of value to get him.

i think it's back to what was Plan A when we got the Nets picks: Patiently draft and develop our own superstar, ala GS, and then get other superstars to join on like they did with KD.

[WeLikeOurGuys]

Kyrie Irving has ghosted the Celtics

https://www.google.com/amp/s/nesn.com/2019/06/nba-rumors-celtics-have-had-limited-communication-with-kyrie-irving/amp/

[Prokorov]

I'm really not sure on Ainge's angle this entire time. even if he thought he had a leg up on Kyrie I think a smart GM would still hedge and consolidate some assets for another star/fringe star to help keep Kyrie in town. Not just butler/kawhi/KD/AD but maybe go after a guy in a walk year like julius randle or otto porter or even have tried to pull away beal.

i thinkin shipping out say brown or rozier would have even maybe helped chemistry... swap a young guy not getting enough time for a vet more likely to accept a role while sending a message to other young guys and appeasing the win now vets.

being hell bent on keeping tatum is fine... but i refuse to believe there wasnt even like a capella to be had with all bostons young athletes

[FlatearthZorro]

"Hey Danny - how come we didn't trade for AD? I would have stayed if we got him"

Danny Ainge:

Let's bet Danny knows where this is headed, even if we had AD? Although no chance we could for sure clarify who's right or wrong in our bet.

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

I'm really not sure on Ainge's angle this entire time. even if he thought he had a leg up on Kyrie I think a smart GM would still hedge and consolidate some assets for another star/fringe star to help keep Kyrie in town. Not just butler/kawhi/KD/AD but maybe go after a guy in a walk year like julius randle or otto porter or even have tried to pull away beal.

i thinkin shipping out say brown or rozier would have even maybe helped chemistry... swap a young guy not getting enough time for a vet more likely to accept a role while sending a message to other young guys and appeasing the win now vets.

being hell bent on keeping tatum is fine... but i refuse to believe there wasnt even like a capella to be had with all bostons young athletes

Or maybe Ainge doesn't think Kyrie is worth it. I mean, the guy is hated by 75% of his teammates. Fine and dandy if you can drag your team to wins a la MJ and Kobe, but Kyrie - he's not good enough to be an a-hole.

Enjoy him in Brooklyn though. He's a fun player to watch. I will miss his highlight reel.

[sam_I_am]

If he wants the Lakers, can he be sign and traded for 125% of their available cap space?

Unfortunately, the Lakers have no assets to give us...or maybe a sign and trade (i.e. for Rondo or KCP) is possible if they don't renounce everybody right away? It'd allow us to save our MLE for someone else.

Could we sign him to 32m max and then trade him for Kuzma and Wagner (4 m)? Not a great haul but maybe gives us more ammo to trade up to top 10 pick or for Capella or whatever.

It would take Kyrie’s agreement - who knows maybe he is content to see Lebron win 2-3 more titles without him while he becomes the next NY Carmelo Anthony.

[Prokorov]

I'm really not sure on Ainge's angle this entire time. even if he thought he had a leg up on Kyrie I think a smart GM would still hedge and consolidate some assets for another star/fringe star to help keep Kyrie in town. Not just butler/kawhi/KD/AD but maybe go after a guy in a walk year like julius randle or otto porter or even have tried to pull away beal.

i thinkin shipping out say brown or rozier would have even maybe helped chemistry... swap a young guy not getting enough time for a vet more likely to accept a role while sending a message to other young guys and appeasing the win now vets.

being hell bent on keeping tatum is fine... but i refuse to believe there wasnt even like a capella to be had with all bostons young athletes

Or maybe Ainge doesn't think Kyrie is worth it. I mean, the guy is hated by 75% of his teammates. Fine and dandy if you can drag your team to wins a la MJ and Kobe, but Kyrie - he's not good enough to be an a-hole.

Enjoy him in Brooklyn though. He's a fun player to watch. I will miss his highlight reel.

I don't think that is the case... i think ainge right now would give kyrie the max if he wanted it...

but assume you are right. if thats the case, why not deal irving at the deadline? on either side of it, it seems like a bad strategy

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

I'm really not sure on Ainge's angle this entire time. even if he thought he had a leg up on Kyrie I think a smart GM would still hedge and consolidate some assets for another star/fringe star to help keep Kyrie in town. Not just butler/kawhi/KD/AD but maybe go after a guy in a walk year like julius randle or otto porter or even have tried to pull away beal.

i thinkin shipping out say brown or rozier would have even maybe helped chemistry... swap a young guy not getting enough time for a vet more likely to accept a role while sending a message to other young guys and appeasing the win now vets.

being hell bent on keeping tatum is fine... but i refuse to believe there wasnt even like a capella to be had with all bostons young athletes

Or maybe Ainge doesn't think Kyrie is worth it. I mean, the guy is hated by 75% of his teammates. Fine and dandy if you can drag your team to wins a la MJ and Kobe, but Kyrie - he's not good enough to be an a-hole.

Enjoy him in Brooklyn though. He's a fun player to watch. I will miss his highlight reel.

I don't think that is the case... i think ainge right now would give kyrie the max if he wanted it...

but assume you are right. if thats the case, why not deal irving at the deadline? on either side of it, it seems like a bad strategy

Ainge didn't deal him at the deadline because at that time, despite all of the rumors already, Irving appeared to still be on track to sign with the Celtics. Also, his relationship to AD was going to be a recruiting tool to convince AD to stay.

But you are correct though - if Kyrie wanted to stay, Ainge would definitely sign him to the max. Even if things went off the rails again, it would still be easier to trade him if he had another few seasons under contract.

[Prokorov]

Or maybe Ainge doesn't think Kyrie is worth it. I mean, the guy is hated by 75% of his teammates. Fine and dandy if you can drag your team to wins a la MJ and Kobe, but Kyrie - he's not good enough to be an a-hole.

Enjoy him in Brooklyn though. He's a fun player to watch. I will miss his highlight reel.

I don't think that is the case... i think ainge right now would give kyrie the max if he wanted it...

but assume you are right. if thats the case, why not deal irving at the deadline? on either side of it, it seems like a bad strategy

Ainge didn't deal him at the deadline because at that time, despite all of the rumors already, Irving appeared to still be on track to sign with the Celtics. Also, his relationship to AD was going to be a recruiting tool to convince AD to stay.

But you are correct though - if Kyrie wanted to stay, Ainge would definitely sign him to the max. Even if things went off the rails again, it would still be easier to trade him if he had another few seasons under contract.

That makes sense but you are looking at it wrong... you need to look at it from Ainges view.

if he wanted to bring back kyrie, you go get someone to help ensure that happens, even if kyrie looks like he is staying. that never happened. im not sure why. Ainge was certainly kicking tires on guys and certaily had the assets even if you make tatum untouchable

[TheOGJabroni]

I'm really not sure on Ainge's angle this entire time. even if he thought he had a leg up on Kyrie I think a smart GM would still hedge and consolidate some assets for another star/fringe star to help keep Kyrie in town. Not just butler/kawhi/KD/AD but maybe go after a guy in a walk year like julius randle or otto porter or even have tried to pull away beal.

i thinkin shipping out say brown or rozier would have even maybe helped chemistry... swap a young guy not getting enough time for a vet more likely to accept a role while sending a message to other young guys and appeasing the win now vets.

being hell bent on keeping tatum is fine... but i refuse to believe there wasnt even like a capella to be had with all bostons young athletes

Or maybe Ainge doesn't think Kyrie is worth it. I mean, the guy is hated by 75% of his teammates. Fine and dandy if you can drag your team to wins a la MJ and Kobe, but Kyrie - he's not good enough to be an a-hole.

Enjoy him in Brooklyn though. He's a fun player to watch. I will miss his highlight reel.

I don't think that is the case... i think ainge right now would give kyrie the max if he wanted it...

but assume you are right. if thats the case, why not deal irving at the deadline? on either side of it, it seems like a bad strategy

I think you are right. Even if Kyrie was hated by his teammates, if Ainge had his choice, he'd bring him back if only just to move him later on for assets rather than lose him for nothing.

Losing him for nothing is worst case scenario & we are likely to play that out. People trying to convince themselves otherwise are foolish. I'm not saying the Celtics are screwed but this would not be a positive for us. Thankfully, we didn't break the bank for him. Much like we wouldn't for AD without any long term assurances from him.

[sam_I_am]

Just saw “picture” of Kyrie moving out of his house. I never would have guessed he was a “do-it-yourself” with a UHaul kind of guy. I think this is just the usual airport/BS we see every year.....not that I doubt for a second he is leaving.