For months, there have been whispers about Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving joining forces this summer in an attempt to bring the New York Knicks back to relevancy.
With both players now out of the playoffs -- Irving by way of elimination and Durant via a right calf strain that will sideline him for at least a week -- it's time to start actually taking stock of where the two stars could be playing next season.
After the Boston Celtics drastically failed to meet expectations, it feels like a near-certainty that Irving will leave Boston for greener pastures, with the Knicks, Nets and Lakers being the primary options.
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As for Durant, it has felt like the two-time reigning NBA Finals MVP would exit the Bay after the Dubs completed their quest for a three-peat. A third-straight title felt like a lock a month ago, but with Durant out for at least the remainder of the Western Conference semifinals, the Dubs now appear vulnerable.
Should the Warriors get bounced from the playoffs while Durant is sidelined, does that increase the Dubs' chances of convincing him to re-sign this summer? They reportedly believe so, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith told Michael Kay on Friday's edition of "The Michael Kay Show."
"One would think it would," Smith said. "Golden State is inclined to think it would. That's what they are telling me."
While the Warriors might believe they have a shot at keeping Durant -- and they certainly do -- Smith told Kay that he's being told the dream scenario of Durant and Irving heading to the Knicks is a virtual lock.
Golden State Warriors
"But I'm being told it's a 90-95 percent possibility -- assuredly rather -- that Kevin Durant is going to New York. That's what I'm told. That he and Kyrie Irving are coming to New York. You hear people say that folks in Kyrie Irving's camp are trying to convince him to go the route to the Brooklyn Nets, but all intent and purposes, he has every intent of coming to The Garden next year, and Kevin Durant has every intent of playing at Madison Square Garden next year. Not the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Not the Staples Center for the Clippers or the Lakers. They plan on coming to Madison Square Garden."
Of course, it should be noted that Durant and Irving are two of the most mercurial stars in the NBA, and could change their mind on a whim. At any time.
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With Irving now on summer vacation and Durant forced to watch the Warriors from the bench, the rumor mill around the two is going to continue to heat up.
Knicks? Lakers? Nets? Clippers?
Honestly, it's doubtful anyone knows where the stars will end up come July 1, including them.