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Report: Clippers emerge as serious contenders to sign Durant

Cassy Athena / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Kevin Durant's long-rumored move to the Big Apple is far from certain.

The Los Angeles Clippers have become as likely a destination as the New York Knicks to sign the Golden State Warriors superstar, sources told The New York Times' Marc Stein.

Durant is expected to opt out of the final year of his deal to become a free agent, and speculation has circulated for some time suggesting a deal with the Knicks is a foregone conclusion. Durant's manager, Rich Kleiman, poured cold water on those discussions Tuesday.

"No, that is 100 percent undecided," Kleiman said of his client's future to the Wall Street Journal's Jason Gay. "I'm waiting on Kevin. That's the truth. I think there's a feeling that this thing is like War Games and everybody is playing chess.

"But when somebody gets to the level of basketball like he's at, you can't juggle focus like that. There's so many things he's juggling too. He's not scripting his future while he's playing the way he plays and practices the way he practices."

The Clippers enjoyed a successful 2018-19 season, clinching the eighth seed and pushing Durant's Warriors to six games. They've been among the favorites to land marquee free agents this summer.

New York is also expected to be active on the free-agent market after opening up significant cap space. Vegas has seemingly bought into the Durant speculation, giving the Knicks 16-1 odds - tied with the Clippers - to win next season's championship.

Warriors owner Joe Lacob is hoping to retain Durant, as well as fellow All-Star Klay Thompson, in the offseason.

"The season is still ongoing," Lacob told The Athletic's Tim Kawakami. "We are not finished. I have no new ideas or data for you. We love Klay and KD and intend to attempt to re-sign them. Period. I am confident about both of them.

"But it is their choice to do what is best for them. They have earned that right. Our goal is to keep our team together. We are pretty good."

The Warriors managed to reach their fifth straight NBA Finals despite Durant missing the entirety of the Western Conference finals against the Portland Trail Blazers with a strained calf.

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