Heading into the new season, Kyrie Irving's future with the Boston Celtics is likely to be a major talking point throughout the year as he'll become a free agent in 2019. There have been rumours all summer that the point guard may potentially consider a move to the New York Knicks to be closer to his hometown of New Jersey. But speaking to assembled reporters at the team's media day on Monday, the five-time All-Star gave the biggest indication yet that he sees his future in Boston.

Focused on Boston

He acknowledged that the Celtics are building a team capable of competing for championships for the next few years and admitted that he wants to be part of that.

“Obviously it’s everybody else’s job to look forward to my future before I can, so I just really thought it was important to make sure it’s known that this franchise is really built for the next few years of being at the top-tier of teams in the league. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?” he said, per CBS Boston.

This certainly doesn't sound like a player who's potentially considering his next move. 

Instead, he revealed ambitions of becoming an all-time great in the franchise's history and having his jersey hang from the rafters at TD Garden among other legends that came before him.

“What more could you ask for from an organisation to really elevate your game?" Irving said.

"When you want to be on the same lineage of greatness as the guys that have come before you, there are times where I have thought about having No. 11 in the rafters. Hopefully, one day. That’s a dream."

To be granted that honour, Kyrie will have to do something special in the green uniform and he believes they have the team to do just that in the coming years. 

The 26-year-old is extremely excited for the season ahead where the C's have been installed as the favourites to win the Eastern Conference and reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010. 

He recently stated that Boston can beat the Golden State Warriors in a seven-game series.

As the only NBA champion on the roster and having beaten the Dubs to do so, it'll be his job to make his teammates understand what it takes to win it all.

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