Kyrie Irving Rumors: 'Don't Sleep on the Nets' in 2019 NBA Free Agency

The Brooklyn Nets reportedly could make a push to sign Boston Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving during the NBA's free-agent period this summer.

On Thursday, Ben Standig of NBC Sports Washington reported "don't sleep on the Nets getting involved" despite ample speculation linking Irving to the rival New York Knicks.

The Celtics entered the season with sky-high expectations. They were viewed as a top-tier threat to reach the NBA Finals with LeBron James finally out of the Eastern Conference.

Things didn't fall into place as planned, however, and by February a report by Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com noted "virtually everyone" within the organization had become "disappointed and frustrated."

"That has been especially true with regard to Irving, multiple sources said, due to a variety of factors," Bontemps wrote.

Little changed during the second half of the regular season. The Celtics finished 49-33, a six-win decrease from the season prior, and were knocked out in the Eastern Conference Semifinals by the Milwaukee Bucks. They had reached the conference finals in the previous two seasons.

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Irving is expected to utilize the player option in his contract to become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, and Standig reported "the Celtics are out."

Boston assistant general manager Michael Zarren didn't rule out re-signing the star guard in comments to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald last week, though.

"We'll have more conversations with him and his representatives in the coming weeks," he said. "... I know he went on vacation, and as he comes back and we talk with him, we'll see where things go."

If Irving does leave Boston, New York has been viewed as the heavy favorite in free agency, possibly adding him and the Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant (player option) alongside the No. 3 pick in the draft.

That speculation does add extra motivation for Brooklyn to make a run at Irving. Not only would the Nets land one of the league's top point guards, but they could also derail the Knicks' efforts for a monster summer.