Report: Irving and Butler trying to find a way to play together

Jimmy Butler's career with the Minnesota Timberwolves could end up being nothing more than a pit stop.

Butler and his good friend Kyrie Irving are trying to figure out a way to join forces, whether that is in Boston, with the Celtics swinging a trade for Butler, or through both players opting out after the upcoming season and teaming up elsewhere, a league source told Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.

With LeBron James committed to the Los Angeles Lakers for the foreseeable future, Butler and Irving believe they can be the next great duo to rule the Eastern Conference, Cowley added.

The two have been rumored to want to join forces for some time. Irving was apparently interested in being traded to the Bulls when he told the Cavaliers that he wanted out of Cleveland.

Chicago's front-office executives were alerted to Irving's request by Butler, but they knew the team didn't have the assets to complete a deal, a team source told Cowley.

The 6-foot-8 swingman reportedly has no interest in re-upping with the Wolves because he is frustrated with the nonchalance of the team's young core, specifically Karl-Anthony Towns, a league source told Cowley.

Butler made All-NBA third team this season, averaging 22.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game while leading Minnesota to its first playoff appearance in 13 seasons.