Boston Celtics star point guard Kyrie Irving hears the chatter. He knows people think he and Minnesota Timberwolves small forward Jimmy Butler want to link up together next summer when both players can become unrestricted free agents, and sign with the New York Knicks.
But Irving is a guy who lives in the moment, and right now, the explosive scorer only has one thing on his mind and that's to bring a championship to Boston.
As you're probably aware, Butler has requested a trade from the Timberwolves and has no plans to re-sign with the club next summer. Irving and Butler developed a strong bond during the 2016 Olympics, and it was after those Olympic games when rumors started to circulate they wanted to play together in the NBA.
Many assume Irving and Butler have been in contact, but according to Irving, he hasn't had a real discussion with Butler since 2016, per Jackie MacMullan of ESPN.
Irving said he's aware that he's been linked to Jimmy Butler in persistent free-agent rumors regarding a mutual desire to play together in New York, but he said he's had no such discussions with Butler. In fact, he said, the last time he talked to Butler at length was when they were both playing with USA Basketball, and the two engaged in a spitballing session along with Durant and Cousins about what the future held for each of them.
“And that,” Irving laughed, “was in 2016.”
In August, Business Insider published a report stating there is a growing buzz about Kyrie Irving and Jimmy Butler teaming up next year in free agency. Butler and Irving were heavily connected last offseason. When Irving requested a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers, the former No. 1 overall pick had interest in a move to the Chicago Bulls so he could form an elite backcourt with Butler as his sidekick. The deal, however, was never made and the Bulls eventually traded Butler to the Timberwolves, while the Cavs sent Irving to the Celtics.
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