Boston Celtics Rumors: Kyrie Irving’s decision holds Celtics hostage

Kyrie Irving’s decision will seemingly affect the Boston Celtics for years to come.

With most reports, including one from Adrian Wojnarowski, saying that Kyrie is most likely headed to the Brooklyn Nets, the Boston Celtics will be left with a fairly young team and a few (overpaid) veterans.

Irving’s decision will largely determine what the Celtics’ future will look like in the coming years and beyond.

If he leaves…

Gordon Hayward could return to form in his second year back from injury providing scoring in the mid 20s per game like he was with the Jazz and Al Horford said that he wants to be back with the team.

That, coupled with Jayson Tatum in his second year and Jaylen Brown in his third, could prove to be fruitful, but probably won’t make them a contender.

The 2019 NBA Draft does add an interesting element to the team.

With three first round picks, the Boston Celtics have the ability to add some more young talent or package them in a trade to either move up in the draft or acquire a player.

You have to think that they won’t use all three selections so expect some sort of deal on draft night.

Clint Capela is a name that has been linked to the Celtics as a potential trade target and he seems like he could be a great fit in Boston.

His rim protection and rebounding ability is something the Celtics have desperately needed for years and it would also allow Al Horford to settle back into the four spot, which he prefers.

The problem they would still have is the lack of elite talent.

Many will argue that in order to win a title you must have a top 10-15 player in the league. Just look at the champions of the last decade.

You need a “number one” guy (and usually a two and a three).

Now the old Gordon Hayward was probably a number two at best and Horford a two or even a three.

The Anthony Davis pitch

The only way I can see the Boston Celtics acquiring a player of that caliber is through trading for Anthony Davis.

If you do that you are sacrificing your young talent and potentially your entire future if Davis wishes to walk after the duration of his contract.

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With the way the league is these days and how the players are, I can’t see Davis wanting to stay in Boston long-term, he did however say that he is open to the possibility of signing with the Celtics long-term, but Kyrie said that with a microphone in the TD Garden to all the season ticket holders so I trust no one’s promise of commitment.

And latest rumors say that Davis’ list of desires team has narrowed to the Kicks and Lakers.

In the end, it is a business decision and players will do whatever is best for them at the time.

Besides, are the Celtics willing to give up Jayson Tatum who is apparently the Pelicans top trade target in a deal for Davis.

I think the move would be blindly optimistic at best.

Selling out the future to try to “win now” is a bold move, but Danny Ainge is a bold guy who LOVES him some AD.

Doing that deal without some kind of assurance from Davis that he stays is, in my opinion, a deal breaker because if he walks after that then it’s right back to a rebuild.

I like the idea of the Celtics hanging on to the group they have, seeing if Gordon Hayward can be who he used to be and using their picks this year and in the next few years to draft players and/or use them in trades.

In a couple of years, Tatum and Brown might be centerpieces and with the help of the draft picks you might be able to add a top-tier guy to make a run.

Best case scenario the Celtics are probably a few years away from title contention barring something dramatic this offseason like Kyrie deciding to stay and AD coming to Boston, but all signs point to Brooklyn for Irving.

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Still, it’s worth holding out hope because the alternative is likely another second round exit in the playoffs.

Who knows though, maybe getting rid of Kyrie will be a blessing in disguise and the Boston Celtics re-discover their identity. I still don’t think it gets you a title, but it will be far more enjoyable if a season than this past one was.

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