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Rumor: LA Clippers have their sights set on Kevin Durant next summer

By Garrett Chorpenning

OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 22: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors drives past Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Los Angeles Clippers at ORACLE Arena on February 22, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 22: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors drives past Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Los Angeles Clippers at ORACLE Arena on February 22, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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According to Yahoo’s Chris Haynes, the LA Clippers will reportedly make a run at All-Star forward Kevin Durant next summer.

The LA Clippers will have plenty of cap space next summer, and it sounds like they plan to use some of it in order to sign All-Star forward Kevin Durant, according to Yahoo’s Chris Haynes. Rival GM’s reportedly believe that this could likely be the nine-time All-Star’s last run in Oakland.

Rumor has it the Clippers are among three teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks, that plan to make a run for Durant next summer. However, the Clippers are the only team of the bunch that can currently offer Durant another max-level free agent of his choosing. The Knicks and Lakers could both open up enough space, but it would come at a price, as both franchises would need to make numerous trades ahead of the beginning of the free agency period in July.

In addition, Haynes’ sources also stated that personnel from the LA Clippers are expected to attend “a high number of Warriors games this season” as well.

It isn’t shocking that LA would want to pursue Durant next summer. One of the league’s premier players, KD holds career averages of 27.1 points and 7.1 rebounds and is a four-time NBA scoring champion. He’s also a two-time NBA Champion, both of which came with the Golden State Warriors. He was named Finals MVP both times.

At 30 years old, Durant still has several great years of basketball ahead of him as well.

In addition to Durant, the Clippers are still expected to pursue Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler as well. Both players have previously made their intentions of playing in Los Angeles clear, and the Clippers would benefit from pairing one of the two with Durant.

Of course, this would make it virtually impossible for the Clippers to re-sign Tobias Harris next summer. Fitting three max-level players on a single team will be a difficult task, especially if the Clippers are unable to deal Danilo Gallinari‘s $65 million contract, and want to surround the trio with players worth more than minimum deals.

Next. Three players that will make or break the season. dark

There’s still an entire NBA season to play before teams can begin thinking about signing Durant, but that doesn’t mean it will stop them.

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