Kyrie Irving-Jimmy Butler Talks Not Coming From Celtics Star's Camp, Kennedy Says

Kyrie Irving turned many heads when he revealed he was not interested in signing a new deal with the Boston Celtics until next summer hinting he might want to test out free agency in 2019.

The Celtics point guard can become an unrestricted free agent if he exercises his player option at the end of the 2018-19 season. He will be then free to join a team of his liking for the forthcoming campaign.

Celtics are keen to hold on to Irving in the long-term and are hoping to tie him down to a new deal, while talks about a possible move to the New York Knicks to team up with Minnesota Timberwolves’ Jimmy Butler gathered pace in recent weeks.

However, HoopoHype’s Alex Kennedy dismissed the speculation suggesting all the talks is emerging out of Butler’s camp and not Irving’s. He believes there is more chance of the former Cleveland Cavaliers star staying with Celtics than leaving next season.

It could be a similar move to what Kevin Durant did this summer when he opted out of his contract with the Golden State Warriors only to sign a fresh new 1+1 deal with the reigning champions. Kennedy believes it is more beneficial to Irving as his earning will grow compared to signing an extension this year.

“There’s been the whole thing about him and Jimmy Butler wanting to team up,” Kennedy told host Adam Kaufman on the “Celtics Beat Podcast” on CLNS Media. “But from everything I’ve heard it seems like that’s coming more from Jimmy Butler, and Jimmy Butler wanting to play with Kyrie. Butler’s frustrated with the young guys in Minnesota like Andrew Wiggins and Karl Anthony Towns, [but] you don’t really hear that Kyrie’s “disgruntled.”

“I think a lot of people were overreacting to the news that Kyrie wasn’t signing an extension,” said Kennedy. “And I think that was a lot of casual NBA fans. The die-hard fans get it that it doesn’t make sense to sign an extension. ... You’re going to make more money if you just wait for free agency to re-sign. But I think when that headline, when it’s on SportsCenter, casual fans are like, ‘Oh he might leave.’ It’s one of those things.”

Irving had a successful debut season with the Celtics as he played a key role in helping them finish as the second seeds in the Eastern Conference. A knee injury cut short his season, but his team still made it to the conference finals — only losing in Game 7 to LeBron James’ Cavaliers.

The Celtics point guard is aware he is surrounded by a team with full of potential and that with his leadership and talent, they can make it all the way to the NBA Finals in the coming season.

“I think Kyrie’s in a great situation right now. He is the man, which is what he wanted. He has a team that has a wide-open championship window as long as he stays and makes sure that he signs a long-term deal and continues to perform at the same level,” Kennedy added. “A team like New York is so far away from contention. It’s not like New York is this really attractive situation that’s super tempting. Yeah, I understand he could go over there with another teammate, but I still don’t see it being more attractive than Boston.”