Top free agents still in decision-making mode…
Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant and his business partner, Rich Kleiman, have taken a distant approach and haven’t given the top interested teams — the Knicks, Nets, Clippers and Warriors — any signals so far, league sources said. Durant and Kleiman are in New York, and at one point discussed potentially coming to Los Angeles for free-agent meetings, but are expected to remain stationed in New York, according to sources.
Durant has said publicly and privately that he will not be recruited to a team and will sit with his inner circle to determine his next move, a similar approach to the one LeBron James took last offseason when he did not personally meet with any team and decided on the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Warriors and free-agent All-Star Klay Thompson will meet in L.A. this week at the outset of free agency, league sources said. Should the Warriors enter the meeting with the five-year, $190 million maximum contract, both sides expect a quick agreement, according to sources.
Thompson wants to remain with the Warriors, but has been open to speaking with the Los Angeles Clippers if talks break off with Golden State, sources said.
More news and notes from around the NBA …
Forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is expected to receive interest from several teams as an unrestricted free agent — including the Suns, Timberwolves and Rockets, league sources said. Teams view Hollis-Jefferson as a versatile forward, capable of defending all five positions and providing energy in the rotation.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are expected to express early interest in free-agent forward Julius Randle, league sources said. Randle is expected to receive interest from several teams, including the Knicks and Nets, according to sources. Coming off his best NBA season, Randle opted out of his $9 million deal for the 2019-20 season. He averaged 21.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game and shot 34.4 percent from 3-point range on 195 attempts last season.
Dallas Mavericks
Restricted free agent Kristaps Porzingis and the Mavericks will meet at the beginning of free agency on Sunday and there is momentum for the sides to work toward a full five-year, $158 million maximum contract, league sources said. Porzingis has spent the majority of the summer in his native Latvia, and Mavericks officials have spent time with him over the course of the offseason. For the Mavericks and Mark Cuban, the bond built with Porzingis has gone a long way, especially considering teams expected him at one point to sign the one-year qualifying offer.
Indiana Pacers
Free agent guard Cory Joseph has received interest from several teams seeking point-guard help, including Phoenix, Washington, Sacramento and Chicago, league sources said. Joseph averaged 6.6 points and 3.9 assists per game in 82 games last season and is a strong backup option for teams.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have serious interest in Nets restricted free agent D’Angelo Russell, L.A.’s former No. 2 overall pick and former starting point guard, league sources said. The Lakers’ interest in Russell is real, and has been described as something that the organization has had partly due to their familiarity with Russell. After all, they traded Russell to the Nets in 2017 before drafting Lonzo Ball. Russell has blossomed into an All-Star, a top free agent, and the Lakers would pursue him by utilizing part of the expected $24-28 million in salary cap space. His restricted status will make a potential signing interesting, considering the Nets have the right to match.
New York Knicks
New York is seen as a potential suitor for Celtics restricted free agent Terry Rozier, league sources said. The Knicks are targeting the biggest free agents in July — such as Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Kawhi Leonard — but will move toward signing high-level rotation players on possible one- or two-year deals should they miss out on the top of their list. For the Knicks, signing second- or third-tier free agents to maximum contracts does not serve as an appeal to other free agents.
Philadelphia 76ers
Tobias Harris is expected to hold free-agent meetings on both the East and West coasts beginning June 30, league sources said. Harris is a priority for the 76ers — and expected to command a maximum-level contract. One team that should express interest in Harris should they miss out on Kawhi Leonard, according to league sources: The Clippers. Harris and the Clippers had a good relationship and Harris had an All-Star caliber season before the trade to the 76ers in February. Brooklyn, Dallas, Denver, Memphis, Minnesota, New Orleans, and Sacramento are expected to also express interest.
