If Kyrie had given Ainge that conditional assurance ("I'll return if you get Davis"), then it's in Ainge's best interest to keep those assurances under wraps. Otherwise, the Pelicans would know they would have Ainge over a barrel.If Kyrie is leaving for NY or BKN, it makes perfect sense that he would string the Celtics along and not signal to Ainge that he's made up his mind. Why help a Division rival plan for next year?
Maybe he's waiting to see if the Celtics get Davis before making up his mind, but in that case you'd think he would be up front in private with Ainge about that. Reading between the lines from Danny's press conference the other day, I'm guessing that isn't the case.
Feels to me like Kyrie has his mind made up and is gone. But who really knows. Danny seems like a pretty good poker player too...
Ainge had every reason to lie in that press conference. For all we know, Kyrie hasn't even returned Ainge's calls. Again, that's not something Ainge would want to make public.