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What Kevin Durant’s decision to sign with Brooklyn means for the LA Clippers

By Garrett Chorpenning

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 10: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors drives with the ball against the Brooklyn Nets during their NBA game at ORACLE Arena on November 10, 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 Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 10: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors drives with the ball against the Brooklyn Nets during their NBA game at ORACLE Arena on November 10, 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 Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /
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The LA Clippers are going to have to look elsewhere for free agents, as Kevin Durant will reportedly sign a four-year max with the Brooklyn Nets.

Free agency has yet to officially begin, but LA Clippers fans can already prepare to take a name off their free agent board, as Kevin Durant is expected to join Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets once the bell sounds at 6:00 PM EST on Sunday.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Nets will sign Durant, Irving and DeAndre Jordan once free agency begins later today, completing a “clean sweep” in regards to their free agent targets.

Durant will reportedly sign a four-year deal worth $164 million with Brooklyn, while Irving will join the team on a four-year deal worth $141 million.

Durant was one of the LA Clippers’ key free agent targets this summer, even after the former MVP ruptured his achilles in the 2019 NBA Finals. He was to meet with the franchise on Sunday, along with the Golden State Warriors, Nets and New York Knicks.

Now, the Clippers’ board has essentially been whittled down to two, ideal players that could receive max-level contracts: Toronto’s Kawhi Leonard and Boston’s Al Horford. Otherwise, it seems as though the franchise is prepared to repeat this past season’s strategy of signing two-way veterans to short-term deals in order to stay competitive and maximize cap room.

As for those two players, the future is unclear. Leonard is expected to meet with the Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Raptors before making a decision regarding his NBA future.

Horford, on the other hand, has drawn interest from a number of teams, including the Clippers, Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings. However, the Kings may be out of that race by the time free agency officially kicks off — with a “mystery team” still firmly in the mix.

If the Clippers strike out on both players, it’s unclear who they’ll pursue with the remainder of their cap space. Patrick Beverley and JaMychal Green each played big roles for the Clippers this past season, and they could each earn significant salaries if they choose to re-sign with LA. Garrett Temple, another role player who performed well for the Clippers last season, will reportedly be joining Durant and Co. in Brooklyn.

Ranking the LA Clippers' top free agent targets. dark. Next

It’s going to be a wild night, so be sure to stay tuned as we continue to cover all the latest happenings in regards to the LA Clippers.

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