For the second consecutive year, the Los Angeles Clippers will bring out their stars in an attempt to sign a big name in free agency.
In 2015, the Clippers sent Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and others to DeAndre Jordan’s home in Houston in an attempt to keep Jordan in Los Angeles in what was a hostage-like situation.
Those big names are expected to come to another free agency meeting. This time, it’s to pitch to free agent Kevin Durant. The Clippers are expected to meet with Durant in the Hamptons on Friday. And though the meeting with Durant will be led by team owner Steve Ballmer and head coach Doc Rivers, Los Angeles will bring along Paul, Griffin and Jordan as part of their plan to pitch the idea of a Big Four to Durant.
The Clippers will be one of six teams to meet with Durant during the holiday weekend in the Hamptons. Oklahoma City kicked off the meetings Thursday by meeting with Durant, who has played his entire career thus far with the Thunder.
A return to Oklahoma City isn’t out of the cards for Durant – in fact, The Undefeated’s Marc Spears is reporting that Durant’s return to the Thunder is is “90 percent made”.
Don’t stress too hard, Thunder fans. Yes, Durant, 27, is the star of this year’s NBA free agency reality show. But barring an incredible sales job, several friends and business colleagues close to the 2014 NBA MVP expect him to return to Oklahoma City for at least another year.
“His decision is 90 percent made. It would take an amazing sales pitch to change it,” said one of Durant’s longtime friends.
Another Durant colleague said, “It’s going to take some sweet-talking to get him to pass up all the money he can get by staying in OKC.”
Golden State will be the first team to meet with Durant in the Hamptons during the weekend. The Clippers will go second, followed by San Antonio, Boston and Miami. Much like Los Angeles, the Heat are expected to pitch Durant on his future teammates and coach.
In the months leading up to his first-ever free agency, rumors of Durant’s desire to play with the Warriors has been well-documented. This means it will be tough for teams like the Clippers to convince Durant to turn down Golden State and his current team, Oklahoma City.
Los Angeles will likely also have to clear cap space to bring in Durant. According to ESPN, for the Clippers to sign Durant, they would likely have to part ways with their four free agents — Jamal Crawford, JJ Redick, Jeff Green and Austin Rivers — and have Durant accept a deal that isn’t the maximum.
[ESPN]
