Report says he and Leonard have talked about teaming up
Another NBA free-agency summer, another superteam possibility.
The postseason’s top two scorers, Golden State’s Kevin Durant and Toronto’s Kawhi Leonard, have been in communication about their free-agency plans, including the potential of joining forces, according to ESPN’S Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne.
Durant has also indicated he will listen to the Warriors.
The two teams both players plan to meet with in free agency are the Los Angeles Clippers and the New York Knicks, per ESPN’S report.
Durant also plans to meet with the Warriors and Nets, which would each offer the ability to play with a star guard in Steph Curry and Kyrie Irving. Published reports indicate the Nets and Irving will get a fouryear deal done quickly.
On ESPN Saturday morning, Wojnarowski noted that he was unsure how personally close Leonard and Durant are, but their mutual respect for one another led them to at least consider joining up.
“I think they’re both fiercely independent guys,” Wojnarowski said. “They’ve both won championships, they’ve both won Finals MVPS. They don’t have to ring-chase here. They can go and live and have an organization built around them.”
Warriors general manager Bob Myers plans to meet with Durant and his representatives in New York at some point after free agency begins today at 3 p.m., according to The Athletic.
Even though Durant will hold those meetings, the setting is expected to be different than when he met with teams as a free agent in 2016. Then, Durant hosted meetings at a rented house in the Hamptons with the Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. Durant has since said he does not want any elab
orate recruiting pitches. Instead, Durant simply wants to complete more research as he weighs his options.
It is not immediately clear if other members of the Warriors will be part of the team’s free-agent meeting with Durant. Three years ago, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala, coach Steve Kerr, majority owner Joe Lacob and Myers met with Durant. As for this year, Myers appears to be the most appropriate member to meet with Durant for a number of reasons.
One, Myers can articulate the Warriors’ strategy on how the team will assemble its roster. Two, Myers is considered to have a strong relationship with Durant. Myers has often defended Durant for the criticism he fielded since joining the Warriors in 2016, including his departure from Oklahoma City, his use of social media and his pending free agency.
When Durant ruptured his right Achilles tendon against Toronto in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Myers appeared emotional and contrite about Durant in a postgame press conference. So much that Myers blamed himself unprompted for Durant’s injury, though those around the organization insist the Warriors and Durant worked together with both internal and outside medical experts.
The Warriors recently signed Myers to a multiyear extension. That reflects both their appreciation for his role in overseeing a roster that won three NBA titles in the past five years and their trust in him with helping the organization sustain its success. That starts with Myers meeting Durant when free agency begins.
• After trusting his presence with his steady play and calming locker room presence for the past four years, the Warriors agreed with Shaun Livingston to delay until July 10 when to reach a decision on his future. By doing this, the Warriors have more flexibility with assembling their roster in free agency, while Livingston has more time to contemplate his future. ESPN first reported the news.
The Warriors originally had until today to decide whether to keep Livingston, or else all of his $7.7 million of next season’s contract would have become fully guaranteed. If the Warriors waive Livingston, only $2 million of his last year will be guaranteed.
The Warriors, who might have a payroll as high as $375 million, may not want to absorb the extra $5.7 million and the nearly $20 million in luxury taxes for a point guard who has become limited with chronic injuries. Livingston, who will turn 34 in September, has told the Bay Area News Group and other outlets that he would consider retiring after the 2019-20 season partly because of those ailments. He has left his options open so that he could further reflect during the offseason and consult with his family.