Kyrie Irving of the Boston Celtics reacts after missing a three-point shot as time expired in the first quarter during their game against the Charlotte Hornets during the preseason game at Dean Smith Center on September 28, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Lance King/Getty Images/AFP
BOSTON — Boston point guard Kyrie Irving says he intends to re-sign with the Celtics next summer.
At a fan event at TD Garden on Thursday, Irving told the crowd, “If you guys will have me back, I plan on re-signing here.”
Irving signed a five-year, $94 million deal with Cleveland prior to the 2015-16 season but asked for a trade last summer. He has a player option for next season and can become an unrestricted free agent in 2020.
Despite injuries to Irving and top free agent Gordon Hayward, the Celtics finished with 55 wins last season before losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals in seven games.