Report: Kyrie Irving cuts ties with longtime agent as free agency nears

Less than three weeks before the beginning of NBA free agency, one of the most prominent names on the market has decided to switch agents.

ESPN reported Wednesday that six-time all-star Kyrie Irving has cut ties with his longtime agent, Jeff Wechsler, and is expected to sign with Roc Nation Sports — the sports arm of an entertainment company founded by rapper Jay-Z.

Irving will be an unrestricted free agent after declining his player option with the Boston Celtics, and ESPN reported that the two teams in New York — the Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets — are both interested in signing him. Jay-Z previously had an ownership stake in the Nets, but his ties with Roc Nation Sports forced him to relinquish ownership in 2013.

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Wechsler had been Irving's agent since the point guard first entered the NBA as the No. 1 overall pick in 2011.

A one-and-done product out of Duke, Irving went on to help the Cleveland Cavaliers win a championship in 2016 before orchestrating a trade to Boston the following summer. The 27-year-old averaged 23.8 points, 6.9 assists and five rebounds for the Celtics last season.

Contact Tom Schad at tschad@usatoday.com or on Twitter @Tom_Schad.