Per the Boston Herald, Kyrie Irving is prepared to sign with the Brooklyn Nets when free agency opens next month. Representatives of his new agency, Roc Nation, told the Herald Irving intends to join the Nets.
Kyrie Irving and the Boston Celtics have long been rumored to part following a tumultuous season that had the highest of expectations following an Eastern Conference Finals berth in 2017-18 with stars Irving and Gordon Hayward each missing significant time, including the postseason.
Boston rallied all the way to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals before ultimately falling to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
It must be noted, Irving cannot put ink to paper until July 6, when the NBA lifts its annual moratorium period for setting the salary cap, but Irving can meet with the Nets as soon as 6 p.m. Eastern on June 30, when the NBA allows free agents and teams to start officially meeting.
With Irving having a history of instability, changes of heart or whatever you want to call it, it’s hard not to take this report with a grain of salt despite the notoriety of the sources. Irving still has a few weeks to change his mind, and it feels like no one would be surprised if he did at this point.
Irving notoriously verbally committed to a future in Boston before this season, then reneged on that statement midway through the season.
The six-time All-Star has reportedly made his mind up, nonetheless, and the connections between Jay-Z, Roc Nation and the Brooklyn Nets are present.
League sources long thought Irving’s next move depended on what Kevin Durant elected to do in free agency in 2019, but now that Durant will likely not be playing in 2019-20, Irving (for now) appears to be zeroing in on a new home, regardless of where Durant elects to conduct his rehabilitation process.
Irving joining the Nets also puts the future of incumbent All-Star point guard D’Angelo Russell’s future in question, while Brooklyn and head coach Kenny Atkinson could certainly elect to play the two stars together.