NBA Free Agent 2019-20 Rumors, Predictions: Where Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson Will Likely Land

The NBA draft has come and gone and now attention turns to a free agent class that will likely shift the league's balance of power. The draft ended without a blockbuster deal, though the aftershocks may still be lingering from Anthony Davis' move from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Los Angeles Lakers, leaving many to now wonder where superstars like Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson will land.

Thompson seems likely to remain with the Golden State Warriors, though he may not return to the floor until February or March and has yet to have ACL surgery. There had been some speculation that Thompson would join the Lakers — a team his father starred with in back-to-back championships in the 1980s — but the Warriors can give the 29-year-old a maximum contract and he has given little indication that he wants to leave the Bay Area.

But the rumor mill has been active for Durant, Leonard and Irving — three players who have been opaque and vague about their goals and interests. Even if the trio was more open about their free-agent plans it might be inconsequential, as Paul George in 2018 blindsided many who believed he was packed and ready to join the Lakers before re-signing with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The drama should unfold in the coming days. The deadline to exercise player and team options is June 29, while free agency officially begins at 6 p.m ET on June 30 and with verbal agreements able to be reached on July 1. Another notable date is July 6, which is when the Davis deal is officially done.

So where will this year's top free agents end up?

Kevin Durant

Easily the most intriguing player in the class, Durant is 30 years old and is expected to miss the entire 2019-20 season with a ruptured Achilles tendon. In essence, teams other than the Warriors will be offering Durant a four-year, $164 million contract for what could turn out to be less than three full seasons.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst noted that the Warriors, the only team that can offer Durant a super-max deal, could do a sign-and-trade that would benefit both the club and player.

Several teams will be lining up for Durant, despite the obvious risks. The Warriors, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers all seem to have a legitimate shot of signing Durant. The Nets may have a stronger shot that many think to land Durant.

Probable Destination: New York Knicks

Kyrie Irving

Would Irving follow Durant? It's certainly possible. The Nets appear to be a frontrunner, though Irving may consider other options.

Irving, who has a new agent, has always marched to his own drum. He once told Boston Celtics fans, “If you guys will have me back, I plan on re-signing here,” but it seems unlikely that he will stick around, even though the roster got a boost with three first-round picks. The New Jersey native may surprise everyone and find his way to Los Angeles, though it seems like a safe bet that he will decide between the Nets and Knicks.

Probable Destination: Brooklyn Nets

Kawhi Leonard

Fresh off winning the finals MVP, many think Leonard is on his way out of Toronto. There had been reports last year when he was then a disgruntled member of the San Antonio Spurs that the Los Angeles native wanted to return home. Gregg Popovich had zero interest in dealing a star player to the Lakers, or perhaps even to a team in the West, so Leonard ended up in Canada.

The Clippers have plenty of salary-cap space to sign the 27-year-old and he would fit right in with a flexible roster.

Leonard already has two championships on his resume and his priorities seem unclear. While the Clippers appear to be the frontrunners, he may like the idea of playing alongside LeBron James and Davis as the Lakers scramble to free up more cap space. The Knicks and Nets are also serious options but it may not be far-fetched for Leonard to stay with Toronto or even surprise everyone and sign with an under-the-radar candidate like the Philadelphia 76ers.

Probable Destination: Los Angeles Clippers