Report: Kyrie thrilled to join Celtics, likely to re-sign
Kyrie Irving is now a member of the Boston Celtics, and he could stick around for the long haul.
The All-Star point guard was dealt to Beantown on Tuesday night, and he's thrilled, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, who also indicated the Celtics will have a "great chance" of eventually re-signing Irving.
That "strong belief" they'll retain his services is why the Celtics were willing to surrender starting point guard Isaiah Thomas, along with small forward Jae Crowder, center Ante Zizic, and the Brooklyn Nets' unprotected 2018 first-round pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the blockbuster deal.
Following Cleveland's third straight NBA Finals trip, Irving asked the club to trade him last month. It's believed the 25-year-old had grown tired of playing in LeBron James' shadow, and wanted to be the primary option on another squad. In Boston, he'll form a new Big Three alongside Al Horford and prized free agent Gordon Hayward.
Irving averaged 25.2 points, 5.8 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in his sixth season with the Cavaliers, who drafted him first overall in 2011. The All-NBA talent has two guaranteed years remaining on his contract, and can opt out following 2018-19.
Boston is apparently under the impression he'll stay beyond that and help the team contend for years to come.
The Celtics surprised many last season when they finished with the best record in the East and reached the conference finals, where they were knocked out by Irving and the Cavs.
Irving won't have to wait long to face his former club, as Cleveland hosts Boston in the very first game of the 2017-18 regular season.