Kevin Durant Wants Jimmy Butler In New York, Report Says

The amount of talent in the 2019 free agent market is unlike any year in recent memory, with a number of top players set to opt out of their deals with their current employers and enter free agency. Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving are top of the pile among the unrestricted free agents.

Apart from the aforementioned quartet, there are a number of other top players -- Jimmy Butler, Kemba Walker and DeMarcus Cousins, among others -- who will also become available in the summer. And there are more than a few teams that have max salary caps to add players in free agency and there are numerous combinations being talked about with regards to players joining forces.

Durant is almost certain to be the most sought after player, with multiple teams looking to sign the small forward if he decides not to re-sign with the Golden State Warriors. The New York Knicks are said to be in front of the queue for the two-time NBA Finals MVP’s signature, while the Los Angeles Clippers and Lakers are also keen.

Irving, who has backtracked on his verbal commitment to re-sign with the Boston Celtics, is also said to be on the Knicks' radar owing to their capacity to sign two top free agents. And close friendship between Durant and the Celtics point guard has seen many experts predict a potential union between the two in New York.

According to Bleacher Report’s Ric Bucher, via HoopsHype, Durant is said to also want Butler to join him and Irving at Madison Square Garden, which will then make the Knicks instant contenders from the Eastern Conference. That would be a far cry from this season, which saw them end up as the worst team in the NBA with a 16-64 record.

The Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard joined his current team via a trade from Minnesota Timberwolves last summer and is highly rated in the NBA. The 29-year-old is averaging 18.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists.

And if the Knicks are handed the No.1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, they are also likely to land Zion Williamson, the country’s top prospect, which will make them an absolute force – one that can challenge the best in the league.

The Lakers are desperate to bring in reinforcements to compliment LeBron James and the three-time NBA champion confirmed he will play an active role in recruiting for his team. The Los Angeles franchise missed out on the playoffs despite adding the greatest player of the current generation last summer and are thus keen to utilize their $38 million max salary cap to add one of the top level free agents.