Kyrie Irving Free Agency: 3 Most Likely Destinations for the Boston Celtics All-Star

Heading into the 2018/19 season, many expected Kyrie Irving to lead the Boston Celtics to the 2019 NBA Finals. Following on from a series of excellent performances in the 2018 playoffs, a young Celtics team looked as though they had all the resources to step up and replace the Cleveland Cavaliers as the dominant force in a weak Eastern Conference.

However, a number of teams in the East have made huge moves over the last five months, whereas Boston themselves have disappointed, and the team looks unlikely to challenge during the postseason.

Back in September, Irving stated his desire to remain with the Celtics, however, the 26-year-old's stance has changed throughout the season, and due to Boston's inability to compete, Irving is widely expected to walk away from the team this summer.

A number of teams have been linked with the six-time All-Star, and here we will examine his most likely destinations.

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#3 Brooklyn Nets

Atlanta Hawks v Boston Celtics

Irving grew up rooting for the then-New Jersey Nets that featured Jason Kidd. This was a time when the Nets reached back-to-back NBA Finals, although the team has struggled in the decade since, reaching the playoffs just three times.

However, after winning just 28 games last year, the Nets are set to secure a spot in this season's postseason. The team's surprising turnaround has been fuelled by a number of promising young stars such as Jarrett Allen, whereas D'Angelo Russell has established himself as an All-Star.

The Nets' young roster makes them a potential future force in the East, and Brooklyn have the cap room to sign Irving this summer. Nevertheless, due to the abundance of offers on the table to Irving, their chances will rely on if the All-Star still feels a connection to the franchise that inspired him.

#2 New York Knicks

New York Knicks v Boston Celtics

The New York Knicks are currently on track to record their worst ever single-season winning percentage, however, the franchise is gearing up for a busy summer which could transform their future.

The Knicks are hoping to select Zion Williamson in the upcoming NBA draft, whereas many executives around the league also expect them to close out a deal for Kevin Durant.

If both of these plans fall into place, the Knicks would be an incredibly attractive option for Irving, however, caution should be advised as we are talking about the Knicks.

Widely regarded as the worst operated team in the NBA, the Knicks have repeatedly dropped the ball in recent years, and it is entirely possible that the team could still miss out on both Zion and KD.

If this turns out to be the case, Irving would be joining an incredibly inexperienced team with no chance of competing, so a move to the Knicks is not the foregone conclusion that some have come to expect.

#1 Los Angeles Lakers

Cleveland Cavaliers v Boston Celtics

If Irving heads to Los Angeles, he will once again be linking up with LeBron James -- as the pair previously spent three years together with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The All-Star duo managed to help the Cavs to a first-ever Championship back in 2016, although Irving left a year later due to his desire to exit LeBron's shadow and lead his own franchise.

Irving has got his wish in Boston, although he has reached out to James over the last few months, apologizing for his decision to leave -- and it appears that the pair are once again on good terms.

The Lakers have the cap space to offer Irving a five-year max deal, and at 27, Irving is a player who could eventually take over from LeBron as the Lakers' main man. With the addition of Irving, Los Angeles will be immediate contenders, and it is hard to imagine Irving in any other jersey next season.