With Kyrie Irving being dragged into the Anthony Davis circus and then seemingly opening the door to questions about whether he will stay with the Celtics after this season, some league execs saw an opening. Looking for a quick score, they thought the All-Star guard might be available in advance of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.

But that notion has, according to league sources, been summarily quashed.

Said one general manager, “Boston’s not taking calls on Kyrie. That was made pretty clear.”

Not that it was really open to debate around the Celtics, but these comments from the outside would seem to indicate the club is not willing to part with a player of his elite caliber and is undeterred by his Friday remarks that pulled back from his announcement last October that he planned to re-sign here after this season. Word is the Celts believe Irving was simply disturbed that sources believed to be tied into Davis’ attempt to be moved to the Lakers now had brought him into the picture.

That effort continued Monday when ESPN reported that the Pelicans had been given a list of teams with which Davis would be willing to sign a long-term contract if traded. Keeping with previous information dispensed, the Celtics are not on that list. Along with the Lakers, Milwaukee, the Clippers and New York are included, though the Kristaps Porzingis trade to Dallas essentially takes the Knicks off the table.

It is known the Celtics and New Orleans have had numerous conversations about Davis in the past, and that line of communication has remained open — even in the face of the fact the C’s can’t deal for Davis now because he and Irving are on designated contracts (the so-called Rose Rule) and NBA rules allow only one such player on a team at a time.

According to a source close to the Pelicans, that club has been informed the Celtics still will be willing to make a major offer for Davis in the offseason. Danny Ainge has, in other words, let it be known the Celts are ready to take their chances with keeping Davis beyond the summer of 2020 when he can become a free agent. As reported here again last Friday, the club took a similar stance in its pursuit of Paul George from Indiana during the 2016-17 season.

The Pelicans still are said to most covet the package of young players and draft picks the Celtics can provide as they move on from their franchise cornerstone.

In light of the Celts’ stance on taking the Davis risk — and it must be seen as a risk if he’s willing to go along with all the work being done to throw the C’s off the scent — the club’s position on Irving makes perfect sense.

Irving, who will not play Tuesday in Cleveland as he again rests his sore hip, has nothing to prove when it comes to his place among the game’s best, and what he has shown of late just adds supporting testimony to that fact, with an average of 29.7 points on 56.9 percent shooting (46.7 percent on treys) over his last seven outings. He made the largest plays at both ends of the floor during the last two minutes of Sunday afternoon’s win over Oklahoma City and is having the best statistical season of his career. Irving’s 23.8 scoring average is 1.4 off his best (2016-17 for Cleveland), but his .503 shooting percentage is a high, and he’s a rebound and about an assist better than previous top marks for a full season.

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But more important than all that to the Celtics is the knowledge that many of the biggest playoff games are won by stars who can make a play when all the offensive and defensive schemes break down. Irving is one of those people who can make something out of nothing, and the Celts are not about to move him when his type is so hard to find — and while they still believe they are close to contending for a title this season.

“He’s amazing,” coach Brad Stevens said. “He’s an amazing player who can get his own shot and get shots for others. We’re really lucky to have a guy like that. He’s very unique.”

So as the game of trade deadline roulette continues this week, it is no surprise the Celtics are apparently keeping Irving out of that game.