Celtics Reportedly Working on 3-Team Sign-and-Trade Deal Involving Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker

Let the unpredictable twists and turns of the 2019 NBA Free Agency period commence.

Originally, Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker appeared destined to separately sign max extensions with their reported new teams -- Irving to Brooklyn and Kemba to Boston, of course.

However, Adrian Wojnarowski has provided a minor detail that will actually conjoin the future of the two All-Star point guards. Though it's only preliminary at this stage, the Celtics have explored interest in a three-team sign-and trade with Kyrie, Kemba, and Boston PG Terry Rozier (to Charlotte) in an attempt to create a full mid-level exception that would aid them in keeping Walker around for the long term.

To do so, Danny Ainge would likely have to cough up a first-round pick to the Nets in return.

Sources: Boston's showing interest in a 3-team sign-and-trade w/ Kyrie Irving (Nets), Kemba Walker (Celtics) and Terry Rozier (Hornets). Boston wants to create a full MLE and would likely need to surrender at least a first-round pick to Nets. So far, talks are exploratory.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2019

The predicament here that Nets GM Sean Marks has to sort out is whether or not receiving a first-rounder (and potentially more assets) is worth assisting a divisional rival's intentions to lock up an All-Star (Kemba) for the foreseeable future -- a move that could prove to hinder Brooklyn's chances as emerging as a true contender in the East.

The Celtics have shown interest in a potential 3-team sign-and-trade involving Kyrie Irving (Nets), Kemba Walker (Celtics), and Terry Rozier (Hornets). The Nets would likely demand a future first-rounder or more to agree to the deal. Story:https://t.co/qjotoN46pB
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) June 30, 2019

And we all know how heinous the last trade between the Celtics and Nets trade went for Brooklyn.

As Woj points out, this development is merely in its infancy stages. But, should it come to fruition, it would truly be one of the more fascinating free agency transactions to formulate in quite some time. It could very well end up being the first three-team swap of players of the same position in a sign-and-trade the league has ever seen.