NBA Insider: 'Very accomplished' third player plotting to join Kyrie Irving & Jimmy Butler in 2019

Irving and Butler are expected to be two of the prizes of the 2019 free agent class

7/19/2018, 7:15 PM
Feb 18, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Eastern Conference guard Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls (21) and Eastern Conference forward Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers (2) talk during the NBA All-Star Practice at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports / Bob Donnan
Feb 18, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Eastern Conference guard Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls (21) and Eastern Conference forward Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers (2) talk during the NBA All-Star Practice at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports / Bob Donnan

Kyrie Irving and Jimmy Butler could be among the star-studded NBA free agent class of 2019, and a Bulls Insider says a "very accomplished" player is plotting to join them wherever they end up.

On the Bulls Talk Podcast, Mark Schanowski discussed 2019 before Vincent Goodwill interjected.

"The top guys have already been talking with their friends around the league," Schanowski said. "I'm sure Kawhi (Leonard) has already talked to LeBron (James) -- their plan to reunite or get together in Los Angeles in 2019. Klay Thompson will be a free agent in 2019. Most likely he's gonna stay right where he is with that dynasty out with the Warriors. And then you look at Kyrie Irving and Jimmy Butler talking about getting together somewhere. That could be with the Knicks or Nets."

It was then that Goodwill jumped in...

"There's a third guy that I can't mention, but yeah," Goodwill said about another 2019 free agent joining Irving and Butler. "I can't tell you (who) but I can tell you it's a very accomplished NBA player. Very accomplished." 

The label "accomplished player" is a bit vague, and it's not known whether it's a current star or a player who might cost far less. Fitting two max players and another star under any team's salary cap would be tricky.

Most of the big name free agents expected to hit the market in 2019 are already on the Knicks' radar, with them reportedly planning to target Kevin Durant above all else

The Knicks will have room for one max player and could have room for two -- especially if they clear Joakim Noah's salary. 


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