When the Celtics were presented as a trade partner for Kyrie Irving this past offseason, team and league sources confirm Dan Gilbert approached LeBron James asking for a pledge that he would remain with the franchise beyond the 17-18 season. James wouldn't commit to that.
Gilbert had become especially interested in acquiring the rights to Brooklyn's first round pick in 2018 that the Celtics owned.
During a July 9th meeting with Irving and his agent, Jeff Wechsler, Gilbert was pressed about the future of James. Gilbert asked Irving for his desired trade destinations and the Spurs, Knicks and Wolves were mentioned but not the Celtics.