NBA Free Agency 2019: Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving And All The Top Players Available This Summer

As always, rumors about where NBA players will suit up next year have almost eclipsed the actual games during the regular season. This is going to be one of the most sought-after and competitive groups of free agents in years, with a number of game-changing stars hitting the market.

These are some of the biggest NBA stars who could be looking for new homes this summer.

Top talents who could actually sign with new teams this offseason

The top name to watch after the Finals in June will be Kevin Durant. The Golden State Warriors forward is a two-time reigning Finals MVP and could be headed towards a third consecutive championship. He could exercise the player option in his contract and look for a new team.

A large majority of rumors link him to the New York Knicks, who just traded Kristaps Porzingis to presumably clear up space for at least one superstar acquisition. Durant avoided media for several days after the trade and lashed out at reporters for talking about the Knicks rumors when he spoke again.

Part of the Durant-to-New-York rumor mill assumes he will go there to join up with Kyrie Irving. The Boston Celtics point guard also has a player option and recently wavered on his promise to re-sign with Boston in the offseason. GM Danny Ainge thinks Irving will stick around, but if he does not, it could be the most exciting offseason for Knicks fans in decades.

Just do not assume Irving will wait for anyone else to make his decision.

Kawhi Leonard could exercise his player option to depart Toronto after just one successful season with the Raptors. He has not tipped his hand one way or another in his public comments on the matter, but he recently purchased property in southern California, where he is originally from.

He could end up on either the Los Angeles Lakers or Clippers, according to rumors. The Clippers, in particular, are expected to make a huge push to acquire Leonard as part of their rebuilding efforts.

Klay Thompson is one of the greatest shooters of all time and will hit free agency this summer, but the likelihood of him going somewhere else seems low, for now. He has indicated that he wants to stay with the Warriors, probably on a newer and bigger contract.

Other quality players who could sign elsewhere

Warriors big man Demarcus Cousins only recently came back from injury and has looked good in limited minutes. He will hit unrestricted free agency this summer and could command big money from either the Warriors or someone else, if he demonstrates that he can get back to his All-Star form.

Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker will be an interesting name to watch. He will be an unrestricted free agent after the season and has consistently put up excellent numbers on a bad team. He has averaged at least 20 points and five assists every year since 2015, hovering near 40 percent from beyond the arc. A team in need of star-power could offer him big money.

The Philadelphia 76ers have one of the most fearsome starting lineups in the NBA with trade deadline acquisition Tobias Harris in the mix. However, he will be an unrestricted free agent and fellow trade acquisition Jimmy Butler could leave via player option. Butler is a defensive stalwart with a solid offensive game, while Harris has become a reliable long-range shooter who averages eight rebounds per game.

It is not guaranteed that the 76ers keep both of them.