NBA Rumors: Lakers Have 'Serious Interest' in Bringing Back D'Angelo Russell
The start of free agency is less than a week away and there are still plenty of unanswered questions as June 30 rapidly approaches.
The decisions of superstar free agents Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson could now be impacted by injury while Kawhi Leonard will weigh the past season and future possibilities.
The Lakers, Clippers, Knicks, Nets and Warriors seem to have the most on the line as this summer's free agency begins. While answers for each team will come in due time, for now, here's all the news and rumors around the league related to the impending free agency madness.
Here is the latest roundup of news and rumors from around the league:
• The Knicks are considering extending a one-year offer to DeMarcus Cousins if they miss out on Kevin Durant in free agency. (Marc Stein, New York Times)
• The Lakers have 'serious interest' in bringing back D'Angelo Russell and have set up a meeting with the All-Star point guard. (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN)
• Enes Kanter is expected to receive interest from the Trail Blazers, Lakers and Celtics. (Chris Haynes, Yahoo! Sports)
• The Warriors and free-agent All-Star Klay Thompson will meet in L.A. this week at the outset of free agency, and should the Warriors enter the meeting with the five-year, $190 million maximum contract, both sides expect a quick agreement. (Shams Charania, The Athletic)
• Kevin Durant and his business partner, Rich Kleiman, have taken a distant approach and haven’t given the top interested teams — the Knicks, Nets and Warriors — any signals so far. (Shams Charania, The Athletic)
• The Knicks are seen as a potential suitor for Celtics restricted free agent Terry Rozier. (Shams Charania, The Athletic)
• The Clippers, Mavericks, Grizzlies, and Pelicans are expected to express interest in Tobias Harris. (Shams Charania, The Athletic)
• The Rockets are offering Clint Capela, Eric Gordon and PJ Tucker to teams in hopes of clearing cap space for Jimmy Butler. (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN)
• The Bulls are expected to express early interest in free-agent forward Julius Randle (Shams Charania, The Athletic)
• The Knicks expect to meet with Kevin and Durant at the beginning of free agency before meeting with other free agents in Los Angeles. (Frank Isola, The Athletic)
• Kevin Durant declined his player option with the Warriors and will enter free agency. (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN)
• The Raptors remain confident they can retain Kawhi Leonard in free agency. (Chris Mannix, Sports Illustrated)
• The Lakers are the most likely landing spot for Carmelo Anthony. (Ian Begley, SNY)
• The Rockets could target Danny Green, Kevon Looney or Brook Lopez in free agency. (Sam Amick, The Athletic)
• The Knicks will still sign Kevin Durant even if he arrives without another marquee free agent. (Chris Mannix, Sports Illustrated)
• Brook Lopez and the Bucks are "motivated" to work out a deal. (Chris Mannix, Sports Illustrated)
• The Knicks and Julius Randle have "mutual interest." (Marc Spears, The Undefeated)
• The Lakers believe they will factor into Kawhi Leonard's free agency. (Marc Stein, New York Times)
• Orlando hopes to retain Nikola Vucevic and Terrence Ross in free agency. (Chris Mannix, Sports Illustrated)
