Paul Pierce: Kyrie Irving understands that he may have a legacy in Boston

BOSTON – When Kyrie Irving recently started backtracking, we should have seen a night like this soon.

And the recent comments on the Celtics franchise and its culture, the young teammates he's playing and growing every night, make Boston a basketball house as good as the one Irving finds.

His return was a scenario he simply would not commit to, leaving people puzzled as to why he would even consider another team and another franchise when apparently everything he wants is here, at Boston.

Well, Irving put an end to his doubts about what he was planning to do next summer by announcing season ticket holders at TD Garden that he was considering signing again with the Celtics this summer.

Based on the salary cap finally reached, Irving is in line with what is expected to be a five-year contract valued at approximately $ 189 million.

But what does the return of Irving mean in the grand scheme of things?

Before delving deeper into this question, here is Marcus Smart's point of view on Irving's return in an exclusive interview with NBC Sports Boston.

"It means a lot when you have a guy who has won at the highest level, who has been where you want to go, wants to do it again with you," Smart told NBC Sports Boston. "It's great for him, the organization and the city he wants to come back to."

The advantage is obvious.

Boston will have a 26-year-old star, five times in the limelight, whose best years will be spent with the Celtics.

And as talented as Irving is, he will not be called to wear the franchise night after night because of the depth of the team.

Irving's desire to return will make it difficult for Boston to also keep Terry Rozier.

Barring an extension of the contract by the end of the month, which seems unlikely, Rozier will be a restricted free agent this summer, which will give the Celtics the opportunity to match any offers that Rozier receives from a other team.

Another good season in the playoffs for Rozier this spring could result in his market value being too high for the Celtics to feel comfortable knowing that Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are worried about the need to contract in the very near future.

With Irving hired beyond this season, it could cause Al Horford to give up his $ 28.9 million contract and become a free agent intending to sign a new long-term contract. short term to stay in Boston this year. been knowing that Irving was coming back.

And let's not forget the role that Irving will play in this team now and in the near future.

In Boston, Irving has a champion caliber team that has been clearly built to allow him to lead and win with. In addition, Irving plays with a relatively young core that has shown that it is promising to play an outstanding role right now, as well as the promise of even better days in the years to come.

And as Marcus Smart pointed out to me on Thursday night, Irving claiming that his desire to sign up again with the Celtics should now also reduce some of the questions "Where are you going?", Which Irving is sure to sow. this season. .

"He'll have them again, but at least he can say now," hey, I've already answered that question, "said Smart." This will still not prevent the media from asking him again. "

He is right.

The questions might not come with the same ferocity if he had not made such a strong verbal commitment to Boston on Thursday night, but they will come.

Meanwhile, fans of Celtics can be reassured by the fact that Boston has already won the big prize in free agency next summer and the season has not even begun.

It was indeed a shock for many, but not his teammates and the Celtics office to whom Irving was hinting, some subtle and others not, indicating that his intentions were back in Boston next season.

"It's not really a surprise," said Smart. "As I said, it's great for him, his team and his organization."