NEW YORK — The Celtics are in a race to keep Kyrie Irving.



If they didn’t know it before, they certainly do now after the star point guard backed away from preseason comments that he intends to re-sign with the team in free agency this July. In a dizzying press conference Friday morning, Irving said the Celtics still lead his list of options, but he also opened the door to a possible departure, praised one of his potential suitors and stressed that he plans to do whatever’s best for his family when it comes time to ink his next contract. The All-Star’s messaging about his future has changed.



“Ask me July 1,” Irving said, now putting off the question so many thought he permanently answered months ago when he verbally committed to stay in Boston beyond his current contract.



Irving did say Friday morning that he believes in Boston’s future and considers the Celtics his No. 1 landing...