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Duke in the NBA: Kyrie Irving’s Days in Boston Could be Numbered

By Kevin Connelly

BOSTON, MA - MAY 15: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics looks on in the second half of Game Two of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on May 15, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 15: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics looks on in the second half of Game Two of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on May 15, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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This Duke in the NBA star has been through his share of adversity over the past couple years, but there could be more change on the horizon for the NBA standout.

Kyrie Irving and the Boston Celtics seemed destined for greatness, but then when Irving went down with a knee injury, the Celtics kept on rolling without him, raising questions about the five-time All-Star’s status in Beantown.

The Celtics managed to grab the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and made it all the way to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals when they were defeated by LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavilers.

With James now headed out to Los Angeles to join the Lakers, the East appears to be Boston’s to lose, but will they still have Irving on the roster in the years to come?

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The former No. 1 overall pick in 2011 has not committed to the Boston Celtics long term and he is scheduled to become a free agent in 2019.

With Irving’s lack of commitment, there have been rumors connecting him in a possible trade to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Spurs superstar Kawhi Leonard.

Reports have also surfaced that Irving may want to team up with his very good friend Jimmy Butler of the Minnesota Timberwolves, who is also a free agent after the 2018-19 season.

His father, Drederick Irving, still resides in Irving’s hometown of West Orange, New Jersey where Kyrie put his name on the map becoming a superstar at St. Patrick’s High School in Elizabeth, New Jersey under legendary Head Coach Kevin Boyle.

It would not be a shock to most if Irving came back to the New York/New Jersey area and joined the New York Knicks with Butler next offseason.

The NBA Champion spent six seasons in Cleveland with the Cavilers before being traded last offseason to the Celtics in a blockbuster that sent Isaiah Thomas to Cleveland.

Irving averaged 24.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in 60 games for the Celtics, shooting a career-best 49.1% from the floor and 40.8% from three-point range.

Although it seems unlikely that Irving will be traded this summer for Leonard, it is very possible Irving will be on a new team in 2019-20, possibly restoring the lowly Knicks franchise to the greatness of the city and arena they play in.

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