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Danny Ainge is confident All-Star guard Kyrie Irving will put a ring on his relationship with the Boston Celtics this summer.
Speaking on Boston sports radio 98.5 “The Sports Hub” on Friday, the Celtics’ president said the team and Irving have an “engagement.”
“The way I viewed the situation is that I think a lot of people, because of Kyrie’s announcement at the beginning of the year, thought that it was a marriage,” Ainge said of Irving’s public proclamation last fall that he would remain with the Celtics instead of pursuing free agency. “And I think that it’s more like an engagement. And we’re going to get married on July 1st. I think that engagement is still on, as far as I know.”
July 1 is the official start of NBA free agency in 2019.
“In my individual conversations with Kyrie, we’re still engaged but we really can’t make those vows, sign that contract until July 1st,” Ainge said.
Just last week, Irving didn’t sound so sure of the commitment. He can opt out of his contract after the season to test free agency.
“At the end of the day, I’m going to do what’s best for my career, and that’s just where it stands. That’s just where it stands,” Irving said. “… Ask me July 1st.”
On the season, Irving is averaging 23.8 points, 7.0 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game.
–Field Level Media