NBA news: Jimmy Butler to 76ers, Kyrie Irving Warriors claim, Knicks shock, Anthony Davis
NBA news is coming in thick and fast and Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the very latest.
Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler fancies a move to Philadelphia 76ers, according to ESPN journalist Zach Lowe.
Butler handed in a trade request at Minnesota Timberwolves but he has yet to find a suitor, despite still being desperate to leave.
“Philly would be a different story, and Butler has eyes for them, sources familiar with the matter say,” Lowe said.
“The Sixers have expressed almost no interest in trading for him, sources say.”
Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving has spoken of his respect for Golden State Warriors as he begins to plot how Boston Celtics can break their dominance this year.
“Going against them for three straight years, you develop that sort of competitive rivalry,” he said.
“But the respect is there. Obviously, they’ve been the victor two out of three times. You give respect where it’s due.
“They’re a special unit. But sometimes special units can be beat by special individuals.”
New York Knicks
New York Knicks are set to start prized rookie Kevin Knox on the bench for their season-opener against Atlanta Hawks tonight.
Frank Ntilikina will instead play in the small forward position as head coach David Fiddle explains the shock selection.
“I really feel like Frank earned it,” Fizdale said. “I feel this will prod Kevin a little and give him something to go after.
“They both handled it great. Kevin understands what I’m demanding of him. Frank did a great job this preseason of being a multi-positional guy.”
Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis says he is prepared to adapt his game to become the best NBA player in the world.
“I wanted to be great and I had to accept the challenge,” Davis said.
“From that day forward, I had to understand that if I wanted to be great that I had to do it. I had to be great every night.
"I saw what Russ Westbrook did when [Kevin] Durant went down with that foot injury in OKC. And that's what I told coach [Alvin] Gentry I have to be. If I have to be Westbrook, I will be Westbook."