NBA Rumors: Clippers Can Sign Durant, Beating Knicks, Mannix Says

Kevin Durant will enter free agency this summer and there is almost no doubt about that, but the question is whether he will re-sign with the Golden State Warriors or look for a new team. If the small forward does decide to leave, he is certain to be the most sought after free agent with many rating him the best player in the NBA at the moment and the Los Angeles Clippers are being touted as a potential destination.

The Warriors can offer Durant a max contract worth $221 million over five years, while any other interested franchise can only offer him $164 million over four years. The New York Knicks and the Clippers are said to be favorites to sign him if he leaves, while the Lakers are also big admirers of the forward.

A number of reports have suggested that the Knicks had begun talks with a deal said to be almost agreed for Durant to move to the Madison Square Garden. But the player himself denied the reports and made it clear that no decision has yet been taken with regard to his future; Durant is currently focused on helping the Warriors win its third straight NBA championship.

However, Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated believes Clippers has the best chance of landing Durant this summer. Doc Rivers’ team has the cap space to sign two top free agents and are certain to chase the Warriors forward if he decides to look for a team away from the Bay Area.

The Clippers have proven this season that they have a competitive team with a talented roster. They have beaten the Warriors twice at the Oracle Arena in the first round of the playoffs and will look to stay in the hunt and cause a massive upset when they face them at the Staples Center trailing 3-2 in Game 6.

Mannix is certain that Durant, who can be impressed during meetings, will be enamored with what the Clippers have to offer more than the Knicks, who finished the season as the worst team in the NBA. The only claim for the New York franchise, according to the NBA expert, is they can tempt Durant by offering to also sign any other free agent he prefers, namely, Kyrie Irving, who will also enter free agency in July.

"Kevin Durant, as we've seen in years past, is influenced by these meetings," Mannix said, as quoted by the Express. "He goes into these meetings, whether it's those guys did in the Hamptons or Boston bringing Tom Brady. He can be influenced by what happens in the room."

"And the Clippers are going to walk into the room with Doc Rivers, with a deep front office staff and with Steve Ballmer who seems to be one of the more likeable owners in the NBA," Mannix added. "The Knicks, who I think are the top competition for Kevin Durant, who are they going to walk into the room with? And how are they going to sell Kevin Durant on his future?

"Other than saying, 'you can bring whoever you want with you. You can take Kyrie Irving or X free agent and bring him along with you',” he explained. "I think that's a factor not enough people are talking about."