NBA trade winds are swirling after the latest surprise involving Desmond Bane and the Orlando Magic. Now, the Los Angeles Clippers could be the next team that pulls off a shocking blockbuster.
According to ESPN’s NBA insider Brian Windhorst, the Clippers are one of several teams that could jump into the Kevin Durant trade sweepstakes. While the Clippers may very well be interested and are involved in trading for Durant, they are not the only team in the hunt.
“He had a list of teams he preferred to go to,” Windhorst said of Kawhi Leonard. “He had one year left on his contract, and the Toronto Raptors were willing to roll the dice as a possible rental. And once again, you don’t see Toronto on Durant’s list, but the Raptors are one of the teams lurking out there, who may be willing to do this without knowing that they can keep Durant on an extension, and basically potentially be a rental. And I think there’s a couple others, including the Los Angeles Clippers, and potentially even the Minnesota Timberwolves. This is still wide open. Maybe Durant gets what he wants, maybe he has to accept something else.”
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on Los Angeles Clippers/Kevin Durant
As Windhorst noted, the Durant trade negotiations are “wide open,” which leaves just enough room for the Clippers to crawl through.
Earlier reports suggested Durant has a list of teams he prefers to land with, in Miami, Houston, or San Antonio. Yet, as Windhorst reported, the Clippers could still emerge as the future Hall of Famer’s eventual landing spot too.
While Durant likely wants to find a team that provides a more secure future as he enters the final year of his contract, after reaching the playoffs the last three seasons, the Clippers would at least meet his needs as a contender ready to compete for a ring.
Related: Toronto Raptors ‘lurking’ in hunt for next blockbuster NBA trade involving superstar talent
