NBA Free Agency 2019: 5 potential destinations for Kyrie Irving

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 06: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the second half of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2019 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 06, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bucks defeat the Celtics 113-101. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 11: Kyrie Irving of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Los Angeles Clippers in a game at Staples Center on March 11, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images) /

5. Los Angeles Clippers

If the Los Angeles Clippers had their way, Irving might already be on their roster.

Before they sent Tobias Harris to the Philadelphia 76ers at the trade deadline, the Clippers “made a preliminary call to Boston on Irving,” according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. However, the Celtics rebuffed those discussions, as they agreed prior to the trade deadline “not to make moves that would impact the roster’s chances of competing in the East, such as listening to offers for Irving,” per Charania.

The Clippers carved out enough salary-cap space with the Harris deal for at least one max contract this summer, and they’re only one Danilo Gallinari salary-dump away from having room for two max free agents. With the foundation of a 48-win team otherwise in place, it shouldn’t be difficult to pitch Irving on the basketball merits of a potential partnership.

Irving’s mid-March comments about Clippers head coach Doc Rivers should raise some eyebrows in L.A., too.

“It’s so easy to play for a guy that’s been a player in this league,” Irving said. “He’s won a championship, and he’s done unbelievable things in this league for his players while giving them confidence to go out there and be who they are. … He puts those guys in position, gives them the freedom and keeps them encouraged throughout the whole game.”

The Clippers do have an intriguing young point guard in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who earned a second-team All-Rookie nod this past season, so they may prefer to allocate their free-agent resources to wings, forwards and a center. But if they strike out on top targets such as Kawhi Leonard or Klay Thompson, Irving could become far more appealing to them.

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