Kendrick Perkins cast speculation on Kevin Durant signing with the New York Knicks aside, with another team potentially set to equal his interest instead.
Marc Stein of the New York Times recently placed the Los Angeles Clippers as a “dangerous threat” to sign Kevin Durant in free agency. The New York Knicks will continue to lurk, but they are not apparently not alone.
Adding fuel to the fire, former NBA player Kendrick Perkins — a close friend of Durant’s — told FS1’s Kristine Leahy to not be surprised if the former NBA MVP signs with the Clippers.
Perkins alluded to the organization and head coach Doc Rivers as aspects Durant likes.
We shot this yesterday... Here’s @KendrickPerkins telling us don’t be surprised if @KDTrey5 (his close friend) winds up with the Clippers. Full two part episodes air June 4th and 5th. pic.twitter.com/R4ZDkCmCaN
— Kristine Leahy (@KristineLeahy) May 22, 2019
As the tweet noted, it was shot Tuesday, the same day as Stein’s report. The noise trickled seemingly trickled out simultaneously then and while the Knicks speculation continued to grow with each new headline.
Durant can’t officially sign until the moratorium period ends in early July, and his discussions with the Clippers and Knicks may only start at night on June 30, “secret meeting” or handshake deal or whatnot.
However, a clear-cut decision might not happen quickly, especially if Durant hears pitches and sorts through his destinations. It’s not like Los Angeles can’t compete with New York for his services, given their championship coach, rising young talent and playoff team that just gave the Golden State Warriors a six-game run in the first round.
Perkins has a connection to Rivers from their Boston days. If he needs a recruiter, it seems feasible for the veteran center to become a middle man as free agency nears, even with his comments in the aforementioned interview.
The only way the Clippers are in contention for Durant is via open salary cap space. They have enough to lure him from the Warriors and to sign a max contract. The Knicks do, too, but not in proximity of where the 30 year old currently plays.
Durant’s decision will shake the offseason of multiple franchises. The Clippers or Knicks could have their next superstar player, another team may swoop in or the Warriors may surprise. Whatever happens, it has the chance to shake the NBA like the move from Oklahoma City in 2016 or LeBron James‘ previous choices.