The 2019 summer could be huge for the New York Knicks with Jimmy Butler and Kyrie Irving available. But a pairing in NY may be unlikely.
The New York Knicks plans all seem to lead to the summer of 2019. With potential free agents like Jimmy Butler, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard and Klay Thompson on the market, it’s no surprise that teams are already looking ahead.
But the Knicks front office doesn’t appear to be putting all their eggs in one basket. Sean Deveney of Sporting News is reporting that most of the talk surrounding a Butler and Irving pairing in New York is coming from the media and agents.
“A lot of the stuff you hear comes from the media and from agents, and that is going to be the case all year,” one league source with knowledge of the Knicks’ plans told Sporting News. “Kyrie Irving comes from the media. Jimmy Butler comes from the media and his agent. That’s not coming from Steve and Scott. They’re a lot more careful here.”
This makes sense. There’s no reason for the Scott Perry, Steve Mills, and the Knicks to tip their hand yet. Of course, they will show interest in the free agents on the market, but they are preparing to survive without acquiring a max-level player if necessary.
Butler and Irving, on the other hand, can benefit from the building narrative that the Knicks plan to sign them. The two may be looking for a team where they can team up. Perhaps New York is high on their wish list.
Rumors and stories of a possible partnership in New York will continue to leak. But it’s a safe bet that when they do, they aren’t coming from the front office at Madison Square Garden.
