Teams Are Reportedly Becoming ‘More Wary’ of Signing Kyrie Irving

With NBA free agency approaching at rapid speed, fans are interested to see where Kyrie Irving, one of the leagues biggest available names, is going to end up. Yet, it’s being reported that Kyrie’s past season might have hurt his chances of cashing out on a big deal.

On Saturday, the Boston Herald‘s Steve Bulpett claimed that some of the teams that were interested in signing Irving before the season began are shying away now that he’s a pending free agent.

“The most interesting bit of information from several sources that we’ve been able to consolidate and confirm is that some teams thought to have interest in Irving as a free agent are now a great deal more wary,” Bulpett writes. He then goes on to claim that NBA insiders see Kyrie as a solid second option and he’ll be recruited as a complimentary piece for teams that know they will score another top free agent. 

“Two teams for certain are telling people they will only go after him if they land another marquee free agent and that player says he wants Irving,” he continues. “In each of these cases, the initial target is different. (There was worry on one of those clubs that the basketball ops people might be overruled by ownership and told to make Irving a primary aim, but that organization is now on the same page).”

Although Bulprett does not disclose the names of the interested teams, he does state that this is due to how he handled himself with the Celtics. It is said that the two interested teams wanted to trade for Irving when he requested to leave Cleveland, but they were told by his camp that if he goes to them he would not resign once he became a free agent. So, if he leaves where he wanted to initially play, it’ll be hard to convince other clubs he’ll be loyal to their organization. Adding to the red flags is the way Kyrie handled Boston’s disappointing season. After stating he’d be interested in returning in Oct., Irving’s tune changed as the year progressed. As a result, it is difficult to predict what his mindset will be in a new jersey.

These reports add to Boston’s dreams of potentially resigning Irving and creating a trade package for Anthony Davis.