A major storyline surrounding the Boston Celtics this season is that Kyrie Irving is eligible to become a free agent next summer. He would immediately become one of the biggest names on the market if that would happen, and Irving has already turned down an extension from the Celtics with an eye on a bigger payday next summer.
But amid all of the speculation about where Irving could end up, the Celtics have a built-in advantage, as the team can offer him more money and years than anyone else. Plus Irving has said all the right things whenever free agency has popped up, making it sound like he plans on staying in Boston for a long time.
Thanks to a Celtics fan event on Thursday night at TD Garden, the Celtics and there fans should probably be more optimistic than ever before about Irving sticking around. The All-Star guard told the crowd that it is his intention to re-sign with the team next summer.
“If you guys will have me back, I plan on re-signing here.” – @KyrieIrving https://t.co/0wDLzuv5WL
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 4, 2018
Additionally, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Irving has verbally committed to sticking around in Boston beyond this season.
Sources: As Boston star Kyrie Irving says at Celtics fan event that he plans to re-sign with the team next summer, Irving has also communicated with Boston ownership over past several weeks and verbally committed plans to stay long-term.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 4, 2018
Sources: Kyrie Irving has met with Celtics ownership and has been direct with his message to Boston's brass over past few months: He's committed long-term to the franchise.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 4, 2018
This would be a gigantic win for the Celtics, as Irving is one of the best players in the league and has embraced being the face of the franchise in Boston. Few teams have as bright of a long-term future as the Celtics, and while things can certainly change between now and the start of free agency next summer, it appears Irving will be stick around for the foreseeable future.
