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.