Kyrie Irving has said that he hasn't spoken to wantaway Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jimmy Butler regarding the New York rumours. In fact, the Boston Celtics star claims they haven't had an actual discussion since the 2016 Olympics.
Both players will be unrestricted free agents next summer and it is being rumored that they could possibly link up in New York, given their desire to combine their talents and form an elite backcourt somewhere.
Despite the current situation as it relates to Butler - the player has requested a trade and has since been made available by the T-Wolves - the players have not had any conversations regarding their future, according to Irving.
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"And that [talking to Butler regarding their futures] was in 2016," Irving told ESPN's Jackie MacMullan.
"Who wouldn't be a part of this?" Irving asked, referring to the current Celtics roster. "Who wouldn't want to be a part of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum and Al Horford and Gordon Hayward? People keep saying, 'Why won't he commit to Boston?'
"Well, there are financial implications involved."
The former Cleveland Cavaliers guard admitted to being aware of the rumors and expects a whirlwind in the days approaching his free agency. But he insists he's finally feeling settled in Boston after his "trial" season following his trade from the Cavs last July.
"I'm accepting it's going to be a constant story," he said. "It's a point in my professional career where it is a big-time decision. I've been away from Cleveland officially for a year now, and I'm finally getting acclimated in Boston.
"Last year it was almost like a trial. There was a lot going on. It was overwhelming at times, to be honest. The focus needed to be directed on getting better and helping my new team win a championship, instead of focusing on all the outside noise that affected me personally."
The 26-year-old is pretty confident looking ahead to next season, having fully recovered from the knee issues that left him sidelined since March, and believes that Boston can be the team who dethrones the Golden State Warriors.
"Can we beat Golden State in a seven-game series? Yes," he declared.
"Because of who we have and what we're establishing here, not just for this season, but for hopefully for the next few years, something that's pretty special."