As expected, Boston Celtics star point guard Kyrie Irving has chosen not to pick up the player option in the final year of his current contract and will become an unrestricted free agent.
Irving, who would have earned $21.3 million under his current deal, was expected by the franchise and fans alike to take this route, with the team anticipating his decision before tomorrow’s option date, according to The Athletic and Stadium’s Shams Charania.
Irving will receive considerable interest from the league’s marquee teams, though his decision will likely have been impacted by Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant’s injury and whatever outcome it may have, if reports of interest between the two in teaming up are accurate.
As the beginning of the NBA’s free agency moratorium approaches (June 30), expect reports on where Irving and other top-tier free agents to heat up.
The outcome of the Anthony Davis trade sweepstakes is another looming factor which may sway the decisions of Irving and other such stars on the open market this summer. Subsequently, we can expect a similar uptick in reporting on that issue as well as the future landscape of the league comes into focus over the next two weeks.
