Kyrie leaning toward staying with Celtics: 'The future is very, very bright'

Kyrie Irving sounds like a man who doesn't plan on leaving the Boston Celtics.

"The future is very, very bright in Boston," the point guard told ESPN's Rachel Nichols. "Even if I ever try to think about that thought of going elsewhere, it would be like 'what are you thinking? We're pretty f-ing good here."

Irving can opt out of the final year of his current contract next summer, which has spawned rumors about him decamping for the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, or Los Angeles Clippers.

Earlier Wednesday, Irving told 98.5 The Sports Hub‏'s Toucher and Rich that it's logical some would assume he'd ultimately head for Gotham, but that he's happy where he is.

"I'm from New Jersey," Irving said. "But it's rumors, rumors, rumors ... it's easy to draw that connection, New York City, but why would I want to leave here?"

Irving enters 2018-19 healthy after missing last season's final 15 games and the playoffs after knee surgery. Joined by fellow injury returnee Gordon Hayward, the Celtics figure to be the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. Alongside youngsters Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Boston could be a title contender for years to come.