Kyrie Irving Rumors: Celtics PG Prefers Nets to Knicks as Free-Agent Destination

If Kyrie Irving leaves the Boston Celtics this summer, it could be for the New York team no one has been talking about.

Per Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, one NBA source said Irving prefers the Brooklyn Nets to the New York Knicks. 

This isn't the first time Brooklyn has been mentioned as a potentially serious player for Irving in free agency. 

David Griffin, who worked in the Cleveland Cavaliers front office when Irving was drafted No. 1 overall in June 2011, told NBATV (h/t Bondy) in March the six-time All-Star would be a strong fit for the Nets. 

"I think Brooklyn is the fit that’s better for him in terms of his mindset," Griffin said. "I think he likes what they’ve done there culturally."

Conventional wisdom has been that Irving will ultimately sign with the Knicks. B/R's Howard Beck reported last month that rival NBA executives were saying "without hesitation" that Irving and Kevin Durant will play their home games next season in Madison Square Garden.

The Nets would seem to be a more appealing destination. They are coming off a postseason berth, losing to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round. There are solid pieces in place with Caris LeVert and Spencer Dinwiddie. D'Angelo Russell could be brought back as a restricted free agent. 

The Knicks haven't made the postseason in seven years and have just 46 wins over the past two seasons combined. 

The first order of business for Irving is getting the Celtics back into their playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks. Boston trails 2-1 after losing the past two games. 

Irving can become a free agent by opting out of the final season of his contract when the 2018-19 campaign comes to an end.