Kevin Durant Could Snub Lakers, Kawhi Still Interested In LA Move: Report

Kevin Durant could be playing his final season with the Golden State Warriors as he will enter free agency at the end of the current campaign after only signing a short-term deal this summer.

The speculation on whether he will go or stay is likely to continue well into next year – with many NBA insiders suggesting that he will leave the most dominant team in recent history, while an equal number are indicating that he will commit his long-term future to the Warriors.

Steve Kerr’s team are the overwhelming favorites to win their third straight title this season, but it remains to be seen if Durant will stay a part of the Warriors dynasty or be tempted to go and create his legacy elsewhere.

The Los Angeles Lakers are tipped to be leading the chase for the small forward and have enough cap space to lure him next summer. And NBA insider Chris Sheridan believes Durant is on his way to the Staples Center in 2019.

However, with the Lakers still very active in the trade market – there could be implications with regards to their cap space available if they make any additions before the end of the season. The trade deadline is on February 8 and Sheridan believes the “landscape” in the Durant race could alter.

“Kevin chases Championships, so he’s going to go where it’s a higher chance that he’ll win a Championship,” Sheridan told the Scoop B Radio Podcast, as quoted by the Express. “Right now that looks like LA. The Lakers are holding those two max spots. But we don’t know what’s going to come the Lakers way during the trade deadline."

“There’s guys that want to get out where they are now. You just have to look at the landscape after the trade deadline in February before you say ‘Kevin Durant lands here’,” he added. “Kevin Durant knows what’s best. He may end up with the Wizards. I think he’s going to end up with the Lakers. You can ask me a question on February 8 and get a different answer.”

Kawhi Leonard, meanwhile, will also be a free agent next summer and has been linked with a move to the Lakers. They were looking to make a trade for him this summer – but opted against it and could rather make a move during the 2019 free agency.

The two-time NBA defensive player of the year was traded to the Toronto Raptors this summer and has immediately made an impact with his new franchise leading the way in the Eastern Conference.

There are rumblings that he could opt to sign a long-term deal with the Raptors if they can make a strong run in the post-season. Or he could opt to sign for any franchise of his choosing with Sheridan even throwing New York Knicks in the mix.

“Like Kawhi Leonard. Kahwi Leonard might want to go to the Clippers instead of the Lakers,” Sheridan said. “Or Kahwi might get comfortable in Toronto and say: I like it here.”

“Or he may want to come to New York. He spent the last season in New York when he wasn’t honoring his contract with the Spurs,” he added.

However, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Raptors star, who is averaging 26.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, is still thinking of moving to Los Angeles in 2019 – but it could well be the Los Angeles Clippers rather than Lakers.

"They can't change the geography. They can't change the weather in Toronto. Those (will) always be things against them in this. Home and L.A. has been the focus for Kawhi Leonard through all of this,” Wojnarowski said, as quoted on Sporting News.