Boston Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving has been rumored to seek out of Beantown next offseason after declining an extension this summer, potentially teaming up with Minnesota Timberwolves star Jimmy Butler with the New York Knicks, after Butler has grown tired of a nonchalant attitude when it comes to competing by some of his young teammates.
The Knicks were one of the few teams in Irving's shortlist when he requested a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
According to Scott Davis of Business Insider, a source said the potential of it taking place is “substantial,” as the Knicks, and even the Brooklyn Nets, are poised to free up enough cap space to haul in max-level free agents.
“It wouldn't surprise me if either New York team or potentially both New York teams hit it big next summer,” a source said.
This comes a month after ESPN's Zach Lowe called the chatter “credible.”
Butler also turned down a potential extension with the Timberwolves, looking to fish in a much bigger free agent offseason pond of 2019, which will also see an increase in the salary cap, allowing contracts to take a considerable kick.
Both stars have player options for the 2019-20 season but are expected to decline them to become free agents.
The Nets have a leg up in this race, already boasting the most cap space in the league, while the Knicks will likely have to hold off giving their unicorn, Kristaps Porzingis, a contract extension in hopes of hauling in two max-level stars like Irving and Butler.
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