Prior to the start of the regular season, Kyrie Irving said that he planned on re-signing with the Boston Celtics this summer if the franchise wanted to retain him.
On Friday, he was asked if that commitment has wavered.
“At the end of the day, I’m going to do what’s best for my career and that’s just where it stands. That’s just where it stands,” Irving said on Friday morning ahead of the Celtics’ game against the New York Knicks. “And my focus this season is winning a championship with the Boston Celtics. Obviously, we had goals coming into the season and the primary goal is to win a championship. So that’s where my focus is.”
Irving was also asked if his mindset regarding his decision to re-sign with the Celtics had shifted.
“Ask me July 1,” he said.
Irving can opt out of the final year of his contract and test free agency this summer.
“Just do the best for me. That’s what it comes down to,” Irving said. “Obviously this has become an entertainment thing for everyone. … I’m not worried about a reputation, not worried about a legacy in the league. I’m just trying to be a human being, trying to make the best decision for my family.”
Irving has called out the team’s younger players for their play on multiple occasions this season. He has repeatedly cited the team’s youth and inexperience as something Boston needs to work through to get where it needs to go.
The Celtics are 32-19 and are tied for fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings entering Friday’s games.
“Obviously things this season haven’t gone as I planned,” Irving said. “That’s part of being on a team where you’re still trying to figure things out. I’m always going to be mature about that, professional, come and do my job every single day and see what happens. That’s what it comes down to.”