NBA News Roundup, Thursday, June 6th: Kyrie Irving set to leave the Boston Celtics, Rockets open to trading Eric Gordon and more

With the NBA Finals now upon us, the playoffs are the talk of the basketball world - although there is no shortage of other stories emerging across the league.

The 2019 draft is just weeks away and teams will be hoping to strike gold by drafting either Zion Williamson or Ja Morant. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis continues to be linked with a blockbuster trade, while a host of stars including Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, and Kemba Walker are about to hit free agency.

With plenty happening around the NBA, here's a look at the biggest news stories and rumours you need to know for June 6th.

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Kyrie Irving unlikely to return to the Celtics, Knicks among most likely destinations

Irving will hit free agency later this month

Kyrie Irving has refused to commit his long term future to the Celtics, and Ian Begley of SNY is reporting that the 27-year-old is unlikely to remain with the Boston franchise during free agency:

In recent days, people around Irving have described the probability of him returning to Boston as a free agent as low. Celtics GM Danny Ainge told reporters Wednesday that they haven't received any indication yet from Irving that he doesn't want to return to Boston.

Those around Irving also said recently that he hasn't ruled out teams -- including the Knicks -- as possible destinations for him this summer, per SNY sources. The Knicks, of course, will have enough cap space to sign two max free agents this summer. If he chooses to leave Golden State, Kevin Durant will give the Knicks strong consideration.

Over the course of the 18-19 season, Irving averaged 23.8 points, 6.9 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game, although he could only lead the Celtics to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Vince Carter says the 19-20 season will be his last

Vince Carter has spent more than two decades in the NBA

At 42, Vince Carter continues to be a solid performer in the NBA. During the 18-19 season, the Atlanta Hawks forward averaged 7.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 17.5 minutes per game, also shooting nearly 40% from three-point range.

Carter is an upcoming unrestricted free agent, and during Wednesday's edition of ESPN's The Jump, the veteran revealed that the 19-20 season would be his last. If Carter finds a team for the 22nd and final season of his career, he will hold the record for most seasons played in league history.

Between 2000-2007, Carter made eight-consecutive All-Star appearances and quickly became one of the NBA's biggest stars thanks to his incredible dunking ability. He is also credited with helping to boost the profile of the Toronto Raptors during the early years of the franchise.

Rockets open to trading Tucker, Capela, and Gordon

P.J. Tucker is one of the Houston players that could make way this summer

The Houston Rockets are looking to shake up their roster this summer following another early postseason exit to the Golden State Warriors, and Marc Stein of the New York Times is reporting that a number of their biggest names have been made available:

The Rockets are indeed shopping everyone on the roster not named Harden. The complexities involved in moving Chris Paul, who at age 34 has three years and nearly $125 million left on his contract, have Houston officials actively exploring the trade market for Clint Capela, Eric Gordon and P.J. Tucker.

As one source with knowledge of the team's thinking said, they are operating under the belief that at least one of those three mainstays will not be a Rocket next season.

The Rockets have won 173 regular season games over the past three seasons, although Mike D'Antoni's side has yet to advance to the NBA Finals.