The free agency window opens on Sunday night, but who wants to wait until then to digest the many rumours and rumblings taking over the NBA these days?
From potential landing spots for Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard, to the competitive market for this year’s talented second tier of stars, here’s a look at the latest rumours from around the NBA:
Raptors will get final pitch to Kawhi
Next week will certainly be a busy one for Kawhi Leonard. Apart from a previously reported meeting with the New York Knicks and expected talks with his current club (at least until he officially opts out of his current deal this weekend), Leonard is also expected to meet with both Los Angeles teams, the Lakers and Clippers.
The Lakers feel like a long-shot for Leonard, who, it’s been reported in the past, is uninterested in playing in LeBron James’s shadow. But he is exploring all of his options as teams are expected to break the bank and roll out the red carpet to do what they can to convince Leonard to bring his championship-pedigree to their team. On Thursday, Los Angeles reportedly tweaked their trade with the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday in an effort to create even more cap space.
However, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, it’s the Toronto Raptors who will get the last word with Leonard and the closing opportunity to woo the two-time Finals MVP.
The Raptors continue to have as good a shot as anybody to retain Leonard, signalling another chase for a title next season, and the ability to have the final say in pitch meetings could prove valuable.
Knicks getting their shot at Kawhi, Durant, but have backup plans in place
As reported Wednesday, both Leonard and Kevin Durant are expected to take free-agent meetings with the New York Knicks next week.
The Knicks have been a part of free agency rumours all season long, with February’s trade of Kristaps Porzingis as confirmation that the team has cleared as much cap space as possible to offer two max contracts this summer. However, a rickety past and questionable front-office decisions may lead teams to sour on joining the once-iconic franchise, with their neighbours, the Brooklyn Nets, gaining steam as a preferred destination for stars like Durant and Kyrie Irving.
But the allure of Manhattan and the chance to bring Madison Square Garden back to life is significant, and it’s affording the Knicks a fighting chance in free agency despite their lacklustre track record.
Should the Knicks strike out on one of Durant or Leonard — the top prizes in a star-studded free agent class of ’19 — the team is reportedly considering turning to one or both of point guard Kemba Walker and centre DeMarcus Cousins as consolation prizes.
It has also been reported that should the Knicks strike out on all fronts, they’ll commit to building a young roster around third-overall pick R.J. Barrett, promising centre Mitchell Robinson, and a presumptive high draft pick next summer. Still, it seems the Knicks will remain in play in free agency this summer — at least for now.
Durant is said to have narrowed his choices down to four teams — the Knicks, Nets, Clippers and Warriors — but has reportedly not given any team an indication of where he’s leaning.
Leonard-Butler on the Clippers?
Sam Amick validates Wednesday’s reports of a potential Kawhi Leonard-Jimmy Butler pairing. In his latest column on The Athletic (subscription required), Amick reports that should Leonard sign with the Clippers — long believed to be the frontrunner in the Kawhi sweepstakes — then the reigning Finals MVP may have interest in Butler joining him there. The Clippers have ample cap space to sign two stars to hefty deals this summer, and have been rumoured to be angling to do just that.
Leonard will reportedly meet with the Clippers next Tuesday, and with more meetings with other teams expected, there’s a chance we’ll all have to wait a bit once free agency officially begins this Sunday at 6 p.m. ET.3 p.m. PT before getting word on what the enigmatic superstar decides.
Kemba sweepstakes heating up
The second tier of NBA free agents still contain a group of all-stars and top-20 talent. Kemba Walker is right at the top of that list, as the all-star point guard is reportedly at a “crossroads” with the team that drafted him eight years ago.
The Charlotte Hornets can offer longer term for more money than anybody else, but their bleak outlook and cap-busting existing roster mean that their only non-financial bargaining tool is to play on Walker’s loyalty.
But after missing the playoffs in all but two seasons in the Walker era, the talented guard seems to be eying opportunities elsewhere.
The Boston Celtics emerged as a frontrunner on Thursday, where he’d replace Kyrie Irving and presumably be able to lead his team to the post-season, but two more teams, the Luka Doncic-led Dallas Mavericks and aforementioned New York Knicks continue to be in the running.
The Celtics are also reportedly eying restricted free agent D’Angelo Russell, a finalist for Most Improved Player of the Year and a coveted player for teams in need of a point guard. He’s expected to be available if the Nets sign Kyrie Irving as expected.
Rockets active in trade talks
The Houston Rockets have recently been linked to free agent Jimmy Butler and are reportedly exploring a number of trades in order to free up cap space to sign the two-way wing star.
Among the players the team is reportedly looking to unload are Clint Capela, P.J. Tucker and Eric Gordon. It remains to be seen if Houston will ultimately benefit by stripping away much of their depth in the process but are clearly keen on making major changes heading into next season.
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