NBA Rumors: Clippers Optimistic About Signing Kevin Durant And Kawhi Leonard Over Lakers, Knicks

For much of the NBA season, the New York Knicks has been viewed as the overwhelming favorites to sign Kevin Durant while the Los Angeles Clippers have been given the best chance to land Kawhi Leonard in free agency. With the summer getting closer, rumors are starting to heat up that the two stars could join forces on the same team.

According to ESPN Stephen A Smith, there is increased noise about the possibility of Durant and Leonard signing with the Clippers in July.

“I haven't spoken to KD about this. I haven't spoken to Kawhi about this. I could tell you that's the scuttlebutt circulating in certain areas, particularly in Los Angeles, where I was just a few days ago,” Smith said on “First Take” Wednesday when asked if there’s a better than a 50-50 chance the Clippers might sign both Durant and Leonard.

“The Clippers are incredibly, incredibly optimistic that they’re going to get one of them and they're going to have a good shot at both. They like their chances. Certainly better than the Lakers. Certainly better than both teams in New York City.”

It was reported last summer that Leonard wanted to be in his hometown of Los Angeles when he requested a trade from the San Antonio Spurs. Smith said he's heard the All-Star has one foot out the door in Toronto, despite the Raptors’ success and chance to reach the 2019 NBA Finals.

The Lakers will have the cap space necessary to give Leonard a max contract, but Smith has been told the Raptors’ star doesn't want to deal with the atmosphere that would come with playing on the Lakers with LeBron James. It's been reported multiple times this year that Leonard prefers not to play on the same team as the NBA's top star.

It comes as no surprise that the Clippers believe they've got a good shot to land Leonard. It's a different story regarding Durant, who is expected to consider Los Angeles, though the Knicks have been viewed as his preferred destination. That speculation only increased when New York traded Kristaps Porzingis and created a second max salary slot, which would allow another superstar to sign with the team alongside Durant.

Perhaps what followed the Porzingis trade has changed Durant's perception of his impending free agency. The Clippers went on to win 48 games and make the playoffs. The Knicks finished the season with the NBA's worst record. Even if New York wins the draft lottery, there will be serious questions regarding what kind of team they'll be able to put around Durant.

The Clippers would have to do some maneuvering in order to be able to fit both Leonard and Durant under the salary cap. It’s certainly doable. The biggest step would be trading Danilo Gallinari, who is coming off the best season of his career.

Durant and the Golden State Warriors will look to eliminate the Clippers from the first round of the playoffs Wednesday night.