Report: Irving is Knicks' No. 1 target next summer

The New York Knicks are preparing to strongly pursue Boston Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving if he opts out of the final year of his contract next summer, according to NBC's A. Sherrod Blakely.

"I've spoken with people within (the Knicks) organization. They have made it absolutely crystal clear to me that, if they had their pick of guys that are going to be in the free-agent market (next) summer, Kyrie would be their first, second, third, and fourth choice," Blakely told Mark Schanowski and Kendall Gill on the "Bulls Talk Podcast."

Related: Kyrie's intentions reportedly unclear; Nets, Knicks would pursue

The Knicks could have up to $41 million in salary cap space next summer, with big names such as Irving, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and Jimmy Butler expected to hit the open market.

Irving grew up 20 miles from Manhattan in West Orange, N.J.