Clippers gunning for Durant and Kawhi this summer

[perks-a-beast]

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/251893/Los-Angeles-Clippers-Have-Master-Plan-To-Add-Kawhi-Leonard-and-Kevin-Durant

And you you know what? I hope it happens. Lakers fans heads are too big after the LeBron signing, they need to be knocked down a few pegs - no better way than the Clippers regaining supremacy of the city.

How epic would it be to see a Celtics clippers finals for years to come vs. Doc, Kawhi, and Durant?

[GreenEnvy]

I’ll believe it when I see it.

Clippers seem to always be rumored to make a splash, only to see nothing happen.

[perks-a-beast]

I’ll believe it when I see it.

Clippers seem to always be rumored to make a splash, only to see nothing happen.

It could mean they are due for a splash.

Chances aren’t great, but I see the Durant sweepstakes coming down to GSW/NYK/LAC, possibly BKN if Kyrie wants to team up with KD there. I have a slight suspicion those two are conspiring together despite Kyries verbal commitment to Boston.

[RodyTur10]

If they really want to do everything possible to make that happen, they should trade Gallinari in a three-team-trade where the Clippers get rid of his next year's salary.

Example:

To LA Clippers: Robin Lopez, Justin Holiday, '20 Chicago 2nd
To Portland: Danilo Gallinari
To Chicago: Evan Turner, '19 Portland 1st

[Moranis]

I think Durant will end up on the Lakers with James.  He is actively going out of his way to avoid talking about James or talking about James in weirdly negative ways which are totally unprompted.  It just seems like he is creating a ruse to me. 

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I think Durant will end up on the Lakers with James.  He is actively going out of his way to avoid talking about James or talking about James in weirdly negative ways which are totally unprompted.  It just seems like he is creating a ruse to me.

My read on Durant is that he is more direct than that. He isn't a schemer. He seems like the type of guy who says it like it is, especially if you hear him on podcasts.

That's why his comments recently about James carry weight, because he isn't scheming or pulling punches.

[RJ87]

I think Durant will end up on the Lakers with James.  He is actively going out of his way to avoid talking about James or talking about James in weirdly negative ways which are totally unprompted.  It just seems like he is creating a ruse to me.

My read on Durant is that he is more direct than that. He isn't a schemer. He seems like the type of guy who says it like it is, especially if you hear him on podcasts.

That's why his comments recently about James carry weight, because he isn't scheming or pulling punches.

Agreed. My gut says Kawhi to Clippers and Durant to NY.

[Donoghus]

I'd be fine with Kawhi going back west.  If Durant manages to stay out there too, even better.

[apc]

I think Durant will end up on the Lakers with James.  He is actively going out of his way to avoid talking about James or talking about James in weirdly negative ways which are totally unprompted.  It just seems like he is creating a ruse to me.

My read on Durant is that he is more direct than that. He isn't a schemer. He seems like the type of guy who says it like it is, especially if you hear him on podcasts.

That's why his comments recently about James carry weight, because he isn't scheming or pulling punches.

Agreed. My gut says Kawhi to Clippers and Durant to NY.

I don't know how you leave a situation like he has with GS. 

[Donoghus]

I think Durant will end up on the Lakers with James.  He is actively going out of his way to avoid talking about James or talking about James in weirdly negative ways which are totally unprompted.  It just seems like he is creating a ruse to me.

My read on Durant is that he is more direct than that. He isn't a schemer. He seems like the type of guy who says it like it is, especially if you hear him on podcasts.

That's why his comments recently about James carry weight, because he isn't scheming or pulling punches.

Agreed. My gut says Kawhi to Clippers and Durant to NY.

I don't know how you leave a situation like he has with GS.

Ego. Urge to be the definitive alpha.  Still reeling from the public reaction from jumping ship from OKC to an already proverbial favorite....

He certainly has reasons to leave.

[kraidstar]

Kawhi likely stays in Toronto. He bought a house there. He has a whole nation behind him. And Toronto is a very nice city, Americans wildly underrate its appeal. It is clean, safe, the women are beautiful, the food is excellent. Canadians also have an infectiously cheerful view of winter. Take a walk on any winter day and see the kids in the parks playing hockey and soccer.

And the team is good. The fans are great. Enthusiastic but forgiving. Perhaps too forgiving. Perfect for his low-key persona. Maybe he splits for the Clippers, but he probably stays.

I think Durant stays as well. He is getting plenty of credit for the Warriors success. All the time I read about how he is definitely a top-2-or-3 player. The narrative on him has changed. He elevated that team. And if Draymond really is a problem behind the scenes the team can ship him out easily enough to appease Durant.

KD could lead the best dynasty since the 90's Bulls. Yeah, if he leaves and wins he could claim he did it "on his own." But by default he is not winning without elite help. He failed year after year in OKC playing alongside all-stars. He's not LeBron and will never be good enough to do it on his own.

He is winning now and could become a legend. If he leaves and fails it would do enormous damage to his legacy.

I think he stays.

[Who]

I think Durant will end up on the Lakers with James.  He is actively going out of his way to avoid talking about James or talking about James in weirdly negative ways which are totally unprompted.  It just seems like he is creating a ruse to me.

I don't feel the same way about Durant's comments but at the start of the season, I did think Durant was most likely to go to LAL to play with LeBron if he wanted to leave Golden State. Those two seem to really enjoy playing with one another when they get the chance. They are impossible for other teams to matchup against them.

[RJ87]

I think Durant will end up on the Lakers with James.  He is actively going out of his way to avoid talking about James or talking about James in weirdly negative ways which are totally unprompted.  It just seems like he is creating a ruse to me.

My read on Durant is that he is more direct than that. He isn't a schemer. He seems like the type of guy who says it like it is, especially if you hear him on podcasts.

That's why his comments recently about James carry weight, because he isn't scheming or pulling punches.

Agreed. My gut says Kawhi to Clippers and Durant to NY.

I don't know how you leave a situation like he has with GS.

Ego. Urge to be the definitive alpha.  Still reeling from the public reaction from jumping ship from OKC to an already proverbial favorite....

He certainly has reasons to leave.

Exactly.

I think the backlash - and the fact that it hasn't died down yet - bothers him even though he tries to pretend it doesn't. Why else create a burner Twitter account to respond to people?

[hpantazo]

I’ll believe it when I see it.

Clippers seem to always be rumored to make a splash, only to see nothing happen.

Don’t underestimate the Clippers now that the logo is running things there

[PAOBoston]

My, my. Wouldn't that be something?

I get a weird sense though that KL might think twice about leaving Toronto though. I don't think it is a guarantee for him to bolt.