The Cleveland Cavaliers are still reveling in winning the NBA title, but the rest of the league has turned their attention to Thursday's NBA Draft and their preparations for the start of free agency on July 1. Check out the latest NBA news and rumors below:
Durant to Warriors?
Kevin Durant's impending free agency has been one of the biggest topics in the NBA over the past year and a half, but many expect him to re-sign with the Thunder - at least for one year. However, the Warriors are the only other team he's seriously considering signing with, reports Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
The same source maintains that if Durant doesn’t re-sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder he would prefer to join the Warriors, a team that has reached two straight NBA Finals and could rule the Western Conference for the next five years if Durant goes to the Bay Area.
Free-agent-to-be Harrison Barnes was dreadful in Games 5, 6 & 7 and Golden State’s offense imploded down the stretch of Game 7. The Warriors scored 13 fourth-quarter points and missed their last nine shots, including five from Curry. They needed a viable scoring option in their half-court sets and that would be Durant, a match-up nightmare for just about every opponent.
Durant will meet with teams in Los Angeles once free agency begins. He averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game this season.
Golden State also pursuing Dirk Nowitzki?
If the Warriors strike out on Durant, they plan to pursue another top-tier player in Dirk Nowitzki, according to Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News.
Nowitzki, also a pending free agent, would be a next-tier discussion for the Warriors, and I'm told they have no idea if he'd be interested in leaving Dallas.
Nowitzki, 38, has said he intends to remain in Dallas, where has spent his entire career ... but he has left the door slightly ajar -- he's a little wary of staying in Dallas for a rebuilding process.
Would Nowitzki be interested in going for a championship in Steve Kerr's open offense, open atmosphere, and with a staff that includes special consultant/old buddy Steve Nash?
And how much would he want to be paid?
It's unknown. Might be impossible. But the Warriors are eager to find out -- that's if the Durant chase fizzles and maybe they'll even try to figure out a way to land both.
Nowitzki, who just turned 38 years old, averaged 18.3 points and 6.5 rebounds with the Mavericks last season.
Sixers to acquire No. 3 pick in the draft?
The Boston Celtics have been aggressively shopping the No. 3 pick in the draft, and a dark horse has emerged as a potential trade partner - the Philadelphia 76ers. According to Tim Welsh of CSN Sports Night, the Sixers are pushing to acquire the No. 3 pick before the draft to select Providence PG Kris Dunn:
"Philly has told Kris Dunn's camp and his agent they are trying to push the buttons to have this happen before the draft," Welsh said. "They've been in Providence locked in to the city talking to everyone that's ever encountered Kris Dunn. They are putting the full court press on the Celtics to acquire the third pick. It could go down in the next two days, so we'll see. Boston has the upper hand in knowing what Philly wants."
Philadelphia has been shopping both Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor in hopes of acquiring another high draft pick, but Welsh said Boston prefers Noel due to his athleticism and shot-blocking abilities.
However, one major problem standing in the way of this deal is the rumors linking the Celtics to Jimmy Butler. The Bulls have been taking calls about trading the All-Star, and Boston has offered a trade package centered around the No. 3 pick - and they'd obviously prefer to acquire Butler over Noel.
If Chicago acquires the No. 3 pick, they also plan to draft Dunn, who averaged 16.4 points, 6.2 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game last season.
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