For the second time in the past two weeks, a reunion with LeBron James has been referenced as a distinct possibility for Kyrie Irving this summer. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Lakers are not on the same level as the Celtics, Knicks and Nets as potential destinations for the All-Star point guard this offseason, but the franchise is on Irving's radar in the wake of Irving mending his relationship with James this past season. However, the departure of Magic Johnson as president of basketball operations would not necessarily help the Lakers' chances.
“If you’d asked me six months ago, I would’ve said the door was closed and locked,” said Windhorst of a James/Irving pairing. “That was not going to happen. But over the last few months, there is no doubt that a thawing between Kyrie and LeBron, and Kyrie has become more open to joining the Lakers and has done some research on the organization.
“That said, Magic leaving, that was a guy he felt a connection to,” Windhorst said. “And with great opportunities in Brooklyn and in New York plus Boston trying to keep him, I think the Lakers are lower on his list, but they’re on his list, and that gives them a fighting chance. Boston has got to still be worried about the Lakers in the Kyrie pursuit.”
Currently, the Lakers only have enough room for one max free agent this July and it's safe to say Irving won't be the No. 1 target on LA's list with names like Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard expected to be available. Both of those superstars are considered long shots for Lakerland however, which would make Irving a potential appealing consolation price as a third-star piece (Anthony Davis?) is targeted in a trade.
It's hard to envision Irving putting his tail between his legs and going back to James after asking for a trade two years ago but if the point guard soured enough on the atmosphere in Boston over the last season and Durant surprises everyone by staying put in Golden State, the Lakers would probably be the best opportunity for Irving to team up with stars if he wants out of Boston. However, it's important to note that these reports directly contradict a report by Stephen A Smith last week who was told by people close to Irving that there is 'no chance' he goes to LA. Despite Windhorst's insistence, there doesn't seem to be much smoke here as rejoining LeBron won't do much for Irving's legacy after a brutal past postseason in Boston.
Kyrie's high school coach thinks he's headed to New York
In a recent piece from SNY’s Ian Begley, Irving's high school coach (Kevin Boyle at Montclair Kimberly Academy) gave his two cents about where he thinks his former player is headed.
“I think there’s a good chance in my opinion that Kyrie ends up (in New York),” Boyle told Begley. "In my gut, I would think that would work best for him and I would think that (the Knicks) have a really strong chance of that happening. But I have not spoken directly to him and I don’t know that to be a fact.”
While Boyle's prediction is just guesswork at this stage, he can be added to a long line of national analysts that have Irving pegged with eyes for his former home. Smith pegged Irving's chances of landing in New York at '95 percent' last week, even though he said that was dependent on Durant also landing with the Knicks and was quick to leave himself an out when saying Durant and Irving have not spoken on the possibility.
“From everything that I’ve been hearing over the last few days, Kyrie Irving his heading to New York City,” Smith said last week. “Kyrie Irving is heading to Madison Square Garden with Kevin Durant. People in his inner circle are trying to bring the Nets into the mix, but clearly New York is the destination, the likelihood is that it will be MSG.
“It appears to be a foregone conclusion. I don’t know whether that’s true or not. Neither Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving are talking about these things. But I am telling you what the belief is. They are destined to go to MSG.”
Irving addressed the possibility of playing in New York in the fall after he announced he was planning on re-signing in Boston.
“Every team was under consideration,” Irving said in October. “But obviously, New York held a special place for me, just being from Jersey, and obviously envisioning myself as a free agent and ultimately taking a meeting and playing for (David Fizdale) and the great young core they had here, and thinking about playing with (Kristaps Porzingis, who has since been traded to Dallas), that was a big thing before I made my decision to sign back -- to plan on re-signing back, I don’t want to get in trouble, plan on re-signing back with Boston. But yeah, of course. New York was a strong consideration.”
Other NBA News and Notes
- Potential Celtics assistant candidate JB Bickerstaff elected to accept an associate head coach job with the Cavs under new hire John Beilein. Brad Stevens had interviewed Bickerstaff at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago last week. The Celtics remain in search of adding at least one assistant to their staff following the departure of Micah Shrewsberry to a top assistant job at Purdue.
- Former Celtic Dwight Powell opted out the final year of his four-year contract with the Mavericks this week, turning down a $10.2 player option in order to hit the free agency market. Powell was a throw-in as a Celtics rookie in the Rajon Rondo trade back in 2014, but he developed into a starting power forward over the past few seasons, averaging 10.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last year. However, as a non-shooter, it's hard to see Powell earning more than $10 million on the market next year, even though his role in Dallas could have been minimized after the acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis.
- A team source confirmed to BostonSportsJournal.com that the team worked out draft prospects Amir Coffey, Josh Reaves and Zach Norvell at the Auerbach Center this week. The Celtics own four picks in the 2019 NBA Draft next month.
