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Adrian WojnarowskiESPN
Boston Celtics star Kyrie Irving is changing representation and expected to partner with Roc Nation Sports, league sources told ESPN.
Irving parted ways with longtime agent Jeff Wechsler on Wednesday, clearing the way for him to ultimately work with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation prior to the start of free agency on June 30, sources said.
Irving, a six-time All-Star, will become an unrestricted free agent and league sources say that he remains intensely interested in the Brooklyn Nets. The New York Knicks are expected to remain competitive for Irving too, sources tell ESPN.
The Nets and Knicks have both hoped to sign Irving and Kevin Durant together into max salary slots. Durant’s free agency has been complicated by a ruptured right Achilles that will keep him out of the entire 2019-20 season. The Knicks and Nets are both still interested in signing Durant and Irving together, league sources said.
Wechsler had represented Irving since he was the No. 1 overall pick out of Duke in 2011, negotiating multiple national marketing campaigns and helping to launch his Uncle Drew soft-drink commercial and movie character. Wechsler helped Irving navigate his way out of Cleveland and into a trade with the Celtics in 2017.
Wechsler also represents Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum. He previously represented Alonzo Mourning and Penny Hardaway.
Roc Nation represents several top NBA players, including Brooklyn Nets guard Caris LeVert. One of the draws of Roc Nation to players has been its close connections to the entertainment industry.