How Much Will Kyrie Irvin Demand As An Unrestricted Free Agent?
Not to take anything away from what Kyrie Irving brings to the table, but he’s set to make a huge amount of cash this summer. He will take home over $20 million in 2018-19 but has a player option in 2019 for $21.3 million. All indications are that he’ll opt out and become an unrestricted free agent and command a deal even more lucrative year-to-year. With that on the horizon for the Boston Celtics, it will all but send Terry Rozier out of town.
The Celtics are pretty straight on their contracts front until 2020. But if Irving is not moved, they will face a brick wall when it’s time to sign Al Horford and Jaylen Brown. Trading Irving will give the Celtics a little more wiggle room as they look to build their championship core from within. But keeping him on the books, even past this year will cause the Boston Celtics to panic just a bit.
The Celtics are riding a wave of winning the last two years. But with teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, and Indiana Pacers lurking, Ainge will need to fine-tune that roster just a bit. Moving Irving may be the best solution for the Celtics to stay contending with the other heavyweights in the East.
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