Boston Celtics: 3 players most likely to be traded in 2018-19
1. Kyrie Irving
Right now, there’s a lot of chatter being heard about Irving’s potential plans for 2019-20. Although much of it can be chalked up to unsubstantiated rumors, there’s a growing belief that the All-Star point guard is prepared to bail on Boston at the end of this season.
Whether that’s to join the New York Knicks or another club is anyone’s guess. The main takeaway here is that, at this moment, the relationship between the Celtics and Irving is rocky at best. That sentiment was echoed by ESPN‘s Chris Mannix back in June, when he claimed Boston was “scared” of Irving’s potential departure for the Big Apple.
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Keeping Irving for the long-term would be ideal for the Celtics. He’s one of the best point guards in the NBA, and can keep them competitive for years to come. However, as was the problem during his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he isn’t the lone star. With Gordon Hayward set to return, Al Horford manning the middle and Jayson Tatum on the verge of a breakout season, the spotlight isn’t fixed on Irving.
Then again, it wouldn’t be in New York either. They already have Kristaps Porzingis, and part of the current speculation suggests Jimmy Butler could also join Irving with the Knicks. That would essentially create another Big 3, which seems to go against the whole “lone star” mindset Irving supposedly has.
Either way, if the Celtics start to grow wary of Irving’s commitment, they may decide to recoup the assets they spent to get him. Trading him wouldn’t be too hard, although teams may be concerned about the flight risk. Regardless, Boston has a quality replacement in Rozier and plenty of other stars who can keep the title chase alive in Beantown.
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Maybe the Knicks would be willing to work something out that’ll benefit both clubs?