New York Knicks: The Kyrie Irving window reopens

Kyrie Irving’s comments Friday opened a can of worms. Is his next stop the New York Knicks?

Kyrie Irving-to-the-New York Knicks speculation ramped up before the 2018-19 season, when a way-too-early focus was placed on next summer’s free agency. The Knicks had already made the Duke product their top target, but a public speech to Boston Celtics fans seemingly curbed any scenario of him leaving for another destination in July.

Everything quieted until the Knicks made their eye-opening Kristaps Porzingis trade Thursday. This removed Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee‘s bloated contracts from the 2019-20 salary cap, and Porzingis’ cap hold disappeared.

Naturally, as a potentially free agent that was linked to New York, Irving received Knicks-related questions before Friday’s game at Madison Square Garden. It started, if he shifted a commitment from the Celtics, per Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.

“I don’t owe anybody sh-t,” Irving said.

Per ESPN’s Ian Begley, Irving added, “Ask me July 1,” but the Celtics were still “at the head” of the race to sign him in free agency.

These comments only widened the Knicks speculation, or, in general, to leave for another team, especially after the unusual announcement that he apologized to former teammate LeBron James via phone call. Irving requested a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers after the 2016-17 season.

Not only this but Irving’s “respect” comments for the Knicks this summer:

"“I respect the Knicks organization,” Irving said. “Obviously they are making moves to position themselves for this upcoming summer. So I wish them the best.”"

Irving could have said nothing, but he didn’t. That led to an MSG serenade for 60 minutes, which he said in a post-game interview, was “distracting.”

Along with Boston not playing to their lofty expectations, it created uncertainty in Boston, with Irving, Gordon Hayward‘s struggles since returning from a broken ankle and the young players taking a step back from 2017-18. Couple that with the Anthony Davis rumors, and it’s not a positive outlook, for now, in the Northeast.

It’s, of course, opportune for the Knicks. They will have over $70 million available in cap space, with around half of that attributed towards Irving. The Celtics can do the same, but if the 26-year-old wants to make New York basketball his own and potentially team with someone of Kevin Durant‘s caliber, how isn’t it enticing?

Maybe this hope existed long before Irving’s comments, but the fact they differed from the positive mantra he expressed in October, it raised eyebrows and created uncertainty around another superstar.

Again, Irving could have said nothing, but he didn’t. Did any of it indicate he’ll sign with the Knicks? No, but the future wasn’t exactly pushed aside for focus on the 2018-19 season and Boston’s championship hopes.

Instead, Irving increased the offseason spotlight and added another layer to what should become a chaotic period when July 1 arrives. It trends the New York Knicks up, after the hoopla of Thursday’s transaction, and makes wearing blue and orange seem realistic for at least one superstar.