Kyrie Irving declines player option, will become a free agent

One of the most expected moves of the Celtics offseason became official ahead of a Thursday deadline, according to Shams Charania of Stadium: Kyrie Irving will hit the open market on July 1. The All-Star point guard declined a player option worth just over $21 million officially on Wednesday (ahead of a Thursday deadline) in order to pursue a far heftier contract in free agency. The Celtics have been unable to offer him an extension that makes financial sense for Irving throughout his tenure in Boston, which has helped pave the way towards Irving's path to free agency, despite a proclamation at the beginning of the season that he'd like to stay in Boston.

The Celtics still maintain full Bird Rights on Irving after he has opted out and can offer him up to a five-year contract at the start of free agency next month.

Here’s a look at the max offer that the Celtics can offer Irving this summer:

2019-20: $32.7 million
2020-21: $35.3 million
2021-22: $37.9 million
2022-23: $40.5 million
2023-24: $43.2 million

Total: $189.7 million over five years

Here’s a look at the max offer that another team can offer Irving

2019-20: $32.7 million
2020-21: $34.3 million
2021-22: $36 million
2022-23: $37.9 million

Total: $140.6 million over four years

Danny Ainge said last week that Irving's future with the Celtics remained up in the air amid reports that linked the guard to the Nets and Knicks in free agency.

“I don’t know," Ainge said of Irving's plans to stay in Boston. "There’s not much I can say about that, honestly, but there’s ongoing conversations. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens there.”