This year, the trade deadline won’t save you.

While in seasons past, the NBA’s February cutoff date for deals generally signaled the end of drama until draft day approached, Celtic followers seemingly will have to be concerned until some time in July with whether Kyrie Irving means what Kyrie Irving says.

Most everyone I’ve spoken to around the Celts and the All-Star guard has held out the caveat that unforeseen events could alter his course, but they have heard nothing from Irving to indicate he plans to do anything other than opt out of the final year of his contract this summer and sign a longer and richer pact with the local professional basketball company.

There have been reports to the contrary — that he is strongly weighing his options and perhaps even leaning toward the door — but one source very close to the situation laughed and suggested that sowing doubt regarding Irving is in the best interest of others who are, of course, free to pursue their agendas.

No one is doubting that the timing of Anthony Davis’ trade request was designed in some manner to benefit his agent’s even bigger client, LeBron James, and said client’s employer. Making Davis and others wonder whether Irving will stay with the Celtics could push the New Orleans star more toward the Lakers, who are reported to be his preferred destination. But if any of that matters to Davis, it could all be rectified in one conversation between Irving and AD during All-Star Weekend two weeks hence.

BOSTON, MA. - JANUARY 30: Terry Rozier #12 takes it to the rim avoiding Marvin Williams #2 of the Charlotte Hornets as Marcus Smart #36 and Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics look on during the second half of the NBA game at the TD Garden on January 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA. - JANUARY 30: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics fouls Bismack Biyombo #8 of the Charlotte Hornets during the second half of the NBA game at the TD Garden on January 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA. - JANUARY 30: Al Horford #42 avoids stepping on Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics during the second half of the NBA game against the Charlotte Hornets at the TD Garden on January 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)



BOSTON, MA. - JANUARY 30: Marcus Morris #13 talks with an injured Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics during the second half of the NBA game against the Charlotte Hornets at the TD Garden on January 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA. - JANUARY 30: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics keeps the ball away from Marvin Williams #2 of the Charlotte Hornets during the second half of the NBA game at the TD Garden on January 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA. - JANUARY 30: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics dunks above Miles Bridges #0, Devonte' Graham #4 and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist #14 of the Charlotte Hornets during the second half of the NBA game at the TD Garden on January 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)



Matt Stone/ Boston Herald Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics hangs on the rim after dunking above Willy Hernangomez #41 of the Charlotte Hornets during the second half of the NBA game at the TD Garden on Jan. 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts.

BOSTON, MA. - JANUARY 30: Marcus Morris #13 and Daniel Theis #27 of the Boston Celtics share a light moment after Theis was fouled during the second half of the NBA game against the Charlotte Hornets at the TD Garden on January 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA. - JANUARY 30: Guerschon Yabusele #30 of the Boston Celtics goes up for two past Miles Bridges #0 and Malik Monk #1 of the Charlotte Hornets during the second half of the NBA game at the TD Garden on January 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)



BOSTON, MA. - JANUARY 30: Daniel Theis #27 dunks above Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics during the second half of the NBA game against the Charlotte Hornets at the TD Garden on January 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA. - JANUARY 30: Dwayne Bacon #7 of the Charlotte Hornets blocks Semi Ojeleye #37 of the Boston Celtics shot during the second half of the NBA game at the TD Garden on January 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA. - JANUARY 30: Marcus Smart #36 and Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics smile in the last seconds of their 126-94 win against the Charlotte Hornets at the TD Garden on January 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)



BOSTON, MA. - JANUARY 30: Marcus Smart #36 and Al Horford #42 and Aron Baynes #46 of the Boston Celtics celebrate in the last seconds of their 126-94 win against the Charlotte Hornets at the TD Garden on January 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA. - JANUARY 30: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics and Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics smile in the last seconds of their 126-94 win against the Charlotte Hornets at the TD Garden on January 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA. - JANUARY 30: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics celebrates as Jeremy Lamb #3 of the Charlotte Hornets looks on during the first half of the NBA game at the TD Garden on January 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)



BOSTON, MA. - JANUARY 30: Marcus Smart #36 reacts to his 3-pointer as Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the first half of the NBA game against the Charlotte Hornets at the TD Garden on January 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA. - JANUARY 30: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics argues a foul along with the bench during the first half of the NBA game against the Charlotte Hornets at the TD Garden on January 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA. - JANUARY 30: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics keeps up with Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of the NBA game at the TD Garden on January 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)



BOSTON, MA. - JANUARY 30: Injured Kyrie Irving #11 applauds next during the first half of the NBA game against the Charlotte Hornets at the TD Garden on January 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA. - JANUARY 30: Aron Baynes #46 raises his arms as Brad Wanamaker #9 of the Boston Celtics steals the ball from Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of the NBA game at the TD Garden on January 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA. - JANUARY 30: Gordon Hayward #20 pushes past Nicolas Batum #5 of the Charlotte Hornets as Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the first half of the NBA game at the TD Garden on January 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)



BOSTON, MA. - JANUARY 30: Injured Kyrie Irving #11 applauds next to Aron Baynes #46 of the Boston Celtics during the first half of the NBA game against the Charlotte Hornets at the TD Garden on January 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

When the subject is Anthony Davis — the Celtics’ prime trade target for well over a year now — all players on the current roster become fair game.

Spending $50,000 on the league fine for making his trade request public has to be seen as Davis’ management’s concept of the cost of doing business. If it forces the Pelicans’ hand (no evidence of that yet) and gets him to L.A. before the Celtics are able to make a better offer in a few months, it will be seen to Davis as money well spent.

And all of the Laker talk now and in reports to come (count on it) may be instigated with the idea of scaring the Celts off the scent.

But it’s important to note here that while the Celtics would have no guarantee that Davis would remain in the fold after next season should they be able to land him, the club was more than willing to go hard after a Paul George trade at the 2017 trade deadline and into the ensuing offseason without knowing if he’d stay in 2018. (The Thunder took that shot and were rewarded when he decided to remain on a four-year deal.)

According to Pacer sources then and league sources now, Danny Ainge’s affection for longer shots didn’t evaporate when he stopped playing. And he has stated to his NBA peers a confidence that any player with Boston doubts will be won over once he gets here and sees the roster, coaches and organization. Such certainly was the case with Kevin Garnett.

It seems to be the same with Kyrie Irving, though he seemed to embrace his trade here immediately. There can be no question this thus far has been a trying year for him and for a club that was expected to exit the 2018-19 starting gate in full stride, and everyone who knows Irving understands thinkers are more susceptible to the season’s changing tides — which could be why he regularly smiles and says he has to remind himself to “relax.”

But the Celtics came into Wednesday’s game against Charlotte with 31 wins in their 50 games and proof they are more than competitive against the league’s elite.

As for Irving’s preseason announcement at the season ticket holders’ gathering that “If you’ll have me back, I plan on re-signing here next year,” that sentiment has been supported by his numerous drop-in lines about working with these teammates for years to come.

And you should also recall that Nike ad where he and his dad are playing one-on-one in the Garden.

“He’s the reason I wear No. 11,” Irving says of former BU star Drederick, adding, as the camera takes in the retired Celtic numbers in the rafters, “I want to be the reason no one else will.”

Would it lessen your concern about his summer plan at least a bit to know those lines came not from some Nike marketing or ad person but were written by Irving?