Durant seems to have list of 6 teams he will interview with in NYC

cowens/oldschool wrote:

arambone wrote:

cowens/oldschool wrote:so we should get rid of KO since black players will go right at him cause hes white and defenseless?[/qu

I don't see much evidence that Bender will develop into a 40% 3 point shooter and 3 point contest invitee. Without the 3 point shot, Olynyk would have little value.

even with that shot hes so weak in so many areas, hes practically useless

Too bad Cow, I'm all done fighting for the day. I'm metaphorically going back to Europe for the night.

dboss wrote:OK so I think we should move forward.  Bone..I care about you and that is the bottom line.

How about them Knicks trying be relevant again ?  Now they want Durant.  Durant and Melo would be like kool-aid without the ice.

Dboss

You forgot DRose, the straw that stirs the drink and sucks the life out of the glass.

Chris Broussard ✔ @Chris_Broussard
Kevin Durant's 1st meeting will be with OKC on Thurs, June 30, in OKC. He'll then fly to NY to meet with the Warriors on July 1, sources say
8:30 AM - 29 Jun 2016
 990 990 Retweets  



Chris Broussard ✔ @Chris_Broussard
KD's meetings w/SA, Mia, Bos, LAC will take place over 1st few days of July. Knicks still being considered for a meeting, sources say
8:34 AM - 29 Jun 2016
 468 468 Retweets   364 364 likes


Baxter Holmes ✔ @BaxterHolmes
Source to @Chris_Broussard on Lakers’ KD pursuit: "I can't imagine Durant wouldn't talk to us. That would shock me.” http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/16595527/los-angeles-lakers-hoping-land-kevin-durant …
4:54 PM - 28 Jun 2016
Photo published for Source: Lakers not giving up on landing Durant
Source: Lakers not giving up on landing Durant
The Lakers are confident they will at least get a meeting with prized free agent Kevin Durant and are still hopeful of signing him, a source said.
espn.go.com
 22 22 Retweets   25 25 likes


bob


.

http://www.celticsblog.com/2016/6/29/12032648/boston-celtics-kevin-durant-2016-free-agent-pitch-dynasty-pitch-nba-rumor-kd

http://www.sbnation.com/2016/6/29/12056962/kevin-durant-2016-free-agency-heat-hassan-whiteside-dwyane-wade-chris-bosh-pat-riley




Why it’s nearly impossible for Miami to sign Kevin Durant and keep its core together


By Liam Boylan-Pett  @liam_bp


on Jun 29, 2016, 10:40a 21


If the Heat want Kevin Durant, they almost certainly have to say goodbye to Hassan Whiteside and/or Dwyane Wade.


Superstar free agent Kevin Durant isn't just giving out meetings to anyone. Aside from the Oklahoma City Thunder, where Durant has spent his entire career, only five teams -- the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics and Miami Heat -- are getting sit-downs with Durant.

Aside from the Thunder and the Celtics, each team in the Durant hunt would need to tinker their rosters to create cap space. But while the Warriors and Spurs could sign Durant without hemorrhaging their rosters, the Heat are facing an uphill battle of Mt. Everest proportions if they want to have the cap room to sign Durant and keep their own two marquee free agents.

Pat Riley and the Heat have pulled off free agency coups before -- remember 2010? -- but Riley would need a miracle to bring Durant to Miami while retaining Hassan Whiteside and Dwyane Wade. In fact, keeping just two of the three, while likely doable, could prove to be a challenge depending on Whiteside and Wade's contract demands.

For the Heat to lure Durant to Miami without breaking up their core, they'll need many pieces to fall in their favor.


Gut the roster or hope for a bargain

The Heat have $50.9 million on the books next season -- which means they have a little over $40 million to reach the projected $94 million cap. However, they have three players they want to sign who could demand max contracts. The Heat could give one to Whiteside, who they've said is priority No. 1 this offseason, and it would earn him about $22 million. Doing the same for Wade (his max number is even higher) would put them over the cap. That means they couldn't sign Durant to the $26.6 million max he's in line to receive, or even get in the ballpark. (For more on Durant's future contract, read here.)

In order to sign Durant, both Wade and Whiteside would have to take major pay cuts. As Bobby Marks of Yahoo Sports! notes, both would need to sign significantly smaller one-year deals in the $8-10 million range and hope the Heat are able to make them whole next summer with maximum contracts. On top of that, the Heat would have to renounce the free-agent cap holds of Luol Deng, Udonis Haslem, Amaré Stoudemire, Gerald Green, Joe Johnson and Dorell Wright to clear the cap space for Durant.

It's asking a lot of Whiteside and Wade, and neither seems particularly inclined to do so right now, especially given the latest rumors that Wade will test the open market. Even Riley will find it nearly impossible to convince his stars to sacrifice that much, especially considering how little time he has to sell them on it.


The Whiteside Problem

Whiteside isn't making things any easier for the Heat. He said he plans on making his decision on July 1, the first day of free agency. If he signs with the Heat for the max (and the Heat keep Wade's cap hold on the books to have a chance to re-sign him), that bumps the payroll up to around $73 million, depending on where the cap falls. That already may not leave enough space for Durant's maximum contract.

Whiteside has been telling the press how great it is to be the one receiving calls from teams after he was the one making those came calls only two years ago begging to get a chance. Can Riley really talk a guy who made less than $1 million last season into skipping out on his first huge payday? It's hard to believe.

This is a very tough spot for a team that wants a chance at Durant. If they let Whiteside walk, will Durant want to join? Whiteside makes the Heat a more intriguing landing point for Durant. If Whiteside's not there, Durant may be less likely to jump on board. On the other hand, if the Heat max Whiteside out, they jeopardize their chance to afford Durant. It's a no-win situation.


What about Wade?

Wade, meanwhile, took a one-year, $20 million deal last summer after a contentious bargaining period. He was going into this year's free agency period hoping things would go more smoothly, but that's looking like a pipe dream if the Heat are going to make a big splash with Durant.

Wade's talks with the Heat stalled on Tuesday, and he's prepared to field outside offers, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst. The Heat need Wade to sign for much, much less than the $20 million he made last season if they're going to keep Whiteside and add Durant. Riley has talked Wade into pay cuts for the good of the team before, but Wade may have reached his limit. Riley must coax Wade again, in a big way.

If Riley is successful, Wade's new salary can replace his massive cap hold, giving the Heat much more breathing room under the cap for Durant. But if Wade is set on testing the market, the timing may be off.

There is one other chance for the Heat to win over Durant, but it depends on the health of Chris Bosh.


Chris Bosh's status

There's a small chance Bosh can't return to the court because of the blood clots that kept him out of the second half of both the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons. Bosh is set to make $23.7 million next season. If the injury is deemed career-ending, the Heat could stretch the remaining $76 million owed to Bosh over seven years and drop his cap hit to $10 for 2016-17, per Bobby Marks of Yahoo Sports. That would create more breathing room to sign Durant. The Heat could also petition the league to remove the remaining years of Bosh's salary off their books, but they can't do that until February.

That said, Bosh wants to continue playing as of now, and it's hard to believe the Heat will have enough clarity about his health status to make any long-term decision on his future.

Even if Bosh isn't available to play, his salary is going to fill up the Heat's cap this summer. It's just another obstacle in the path to signing Durant. And though it would be for less under the stretched scenario, wouldn't Durant prefer to come to Miami to play with Chris Bosh?


For once, you may have to count out Pat Riley

There are countless moving parts for the Heat to sign the biggest star in the 2016 free agency class. By getting Durant to agree to a meeting, the Heat passed one test.

But figuring out the remaining bit seems to be too great of a task. Not only do they have to get two stars to agree to small contracts, they must fill the roster around them after ditching the other free agents they sent away this summer. Possible scenarios to keep all three (including this creative one) are so fanciful that they aren't realistic.

Riley has done the unthinkable before, but if he somehow pulls it off, this will be his greatest achievement yet. There are almost certainly too many obstacles in the way of Durant taking his talents to South Beach.


bob
MY NOTE:  Riley has to pick his poison.  If he picks Whiteside, then we're the only EC team in the running for Durant.  If he goes with Durant, then he loses either Whiteside and DWade and would Durant go to Miami if one of them are gone?  His only hope is that he signs Whiteside and DWade and can convince Durant to stay in OKC for a year and THEN come to Miami.  That is precisely the type of Jedi mind trick Pat Riley would try to do. It's what I would do.



.

Marc Stein: More meetings for Kevin Durant: Clippers on Friday, Boston on Saturday and Miami on Sunday — all in the Hamptons — league sources say. 9 hours ago – via Twitter ESPNSteinLine



Marc Stein: OKC’s hope, I’m told, is making one last pitch to KD in the Hamptons after the Warriors, Clippers, Spurs, Celtics and Heat get their turns. 31 mins ago – via Twitter ESPNSteinLine



bob


.

The Clippers’ meeting with Kevin Durant on Friday will be led by coach Doc Rivers and owner Steve Ballmer, but sources indicate that Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and Chris Paul could also attend to pitch the Oklahoma City Thunder free agent on being part of a “Big Four.” Though Durant is meeting with Thunder officials in Oklahoma City Thursday afternoon, sources tell ESPN’s Marc Stein that Oklahoma City is also seeking a second meeting with Durant and his representatives this holiday weekend in the Hamptons. 31 mins ago – via ESPN.com


While team sources could not immediately confirm that all three players would be able attend, inviting all three is an important affirmation of Rivers’ previous statements about keeping the team’s core together. 31 mins ago – via ESPN.com



Marc Stein: OKC’s hope, I’m told, is making one last pitch to KD in the Hamptons after the Warriors, Clippers, Spurs, Celtics and Heat get their turns. 31 mins ago – via Twitter ESPNSteinLine


2 mins ago – via Twitter SherrodbCSN
A. Sherrod Blakely: Isaiah Thomas says he will meet with Danny Ainge later today and determine if he will be part of .@Marc D’Amico group to meet with Kevin Durant.




2 mins ago – via Twitter ramonashelburne
Ramona Shelburne: As for Lakers failure to meet w/ KD. One league source incredulously asked yesterday why Kupchak/Buss haven’t spent last 8 months on this


bob


.

Scott Souza: #Celtics All-Star Isaiah Thomas said Kevin Durant brought up to him how much he likes city of Boston with out him having to even ask. 1 hour ago – via Twitter Scott_Souza


Jay King: Isaiah Thomas on Kevin Durant: “He’s talked to me about how exciting it is to watch us on NBA LeaguePass and things like that.” 1 hour ago – via Twitter ByJayKing


Scott Souza: #Celtics All-Star Isaiah Thomas said he’s spoken to free agent Al Horford & Horford’s been very positive about C’s, city of Boston. 1 hour ago – via Twitter Scott_Souza



bob
MY NOTE:  IT is SUCH a tease...


.

I like Boston too bob

Celtics are pulling out all the stops to bring KD to Boston. I hope TB12 explains how bringing a championship to Boston results in perpetual deification and a supermodel wife who makes even more than you do...

Shamrock1000 wrote:Celtics are pulling out all the stops to bring KD to Boston. I hope TB12 explains how bringing a championship to Boston results in perpetual deification and a supermodel wife who makes even more than you do...

Kelly and Smart?  Really?  That's Danny's Celtic posse?  Doc shows up with CP3, Jordan and Griffin and Danny brings Mutt and Jeff? Not feeling too strong about this right now. How about Kevin McHale, as long as KD is enamored with Bird?  


bob


.

bobheckler wrote:
Kelly and Smart?  Really?  That's Danny's Celtic posse?  Doc shows up with CP3, Jordan and Griffin and Danny brings Mutt and Jeff?  Not feeling too strong about this right now.  How about Kevin McHale, as long as KD is enamored with Bird?  


bob


.

This is one picture - we don't know who else Ainge brought. It is nice that Kelly broke out his finest tie-dye though,,,,

did Ainge wear his Durant kicks there?

just wondering.....

Ira Winderman
‏@IraHeatBeat
Was told Heat meeting with Durant lasted just over two hours, apparently with no Heat players involved (unless you still count Zo).
RETWEETS 204
LIKES 170



bob
MY NOTE:  Could Riley just be going through the motions?  He cannot bring DWade because of their contract "dispute" but why not newly re-signed Hassan Whiteside?


.

Sources: Nets to sign Tyler Johnson to $50M offer sheet



Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical,Yahoo Sports


2 hours 26 minutes ago  



Miami Heat restricted free-agent guard Tyler Johnson has agreed to sign a four-year, $50 million offer sheet with the Brooklyn Nets, league sources told The Vertical.

The Nets believe in Tyler Johnson's potential. (Getty Images)Once Johnson, 24, signs the offer sheet at the end of the free-agent signing moratorium on Thursday, the Heat will have three days to match the offer and retain Johnson – or let him leave for the Nets.

For Johnson, the contract represents one of the most rapid financial ascensions in recent league history: From an undrafted NBA Development League guard in 2015, to participating in only 68 games over parts of the past two seasons, to a staggering poison-pill contract that guarantees seasons of $18.8 million and $19.6 million in the final two years of the deal.

Johnson’s agents with CAA Sports – Austin Brown and Ty Sullivan – brought him to Chicago over the weekend to meet with several teams, including the Nets.

Johnson made $507,000 in his second NBA season for the Heat in 2015-16. He played 36 games – only starting five – but NBA executives and coaches who scouted him and studied him closely on tape in the D-League and NBA see the potential for a versatile and complete guard.

The Gilbert Arenas provision allows Johnson to make $5.6 million and $5.8 million in the first two years of the deal, but salaries of $18.8 million and $19.6 million in 2018-19 and 2019-20 make the offer sheet more prohibitive for the Heat to match.

For the Nets, they’re trying to complete a free-agent backcourt that includes Jeremy Lin (three years, $36 million) and Johnson.

Johnson had several comparable offer sheets, but the opportunity for playing time in Brooklyn, the chance to play for new coach Kenny Atkinson and under general manager Sean Marks’ evolving new shingle sold him on Brooklyn.

Sacramento, Chicago, Charlotte and New Orleans were among aggressive suitors for Johnson, league sources said.

Johnson was undrafted out of Fresno State in 2014. He missed nearly three months because of shoulder surgery this past season, but returned in the playoffs for Miami.

Miami president Pat Riley is meeting with free agent Kevin Durant in the New York area and working to re-sign All-Star guard Dwyane Wade. The Heat are keeping center Hassan Whiteside on a four-year, $98 million max contract. Years three and four of the Johnson deal could be difficult for Miami to maneuver under its salary-cap structure.


bob
MY NOTE:  One more ball for Pat Riley to keep in the air.  It's getting harder for him to present a complete picture to Durant. I'm starting to feel like it is coming down to OKC, GSW and Boston and GSW would have to make some moves to clear cap space.  Which makes it, in just my heavily partisan opinion,

1 - OKC
2 - Boston  
3 - GSW.  


.

REPORT: DURANT'S DECISION EXPECTED BY MONDAY AFTERNOON


By Kevin O'Connor July 02, 2016 10:35 PM


NBA fans won't have to wait too long to find out which team Kevin Durant will be suiting up for next season. KD's decision is expected within the next 24 hours, or by Monday afternoon, according to ESPN's Chris Broussard.

It'd be poetic if Durant announced that he'd sign with the Celtics on Monday, July 4 after Wyc Grousbeck suggested there'd be "fireworks" just a few years ago.

There are no guarantees though, but it'd be a fascinating wrinkle to the story.

At the least, one team has apparently removed themselves from the Durant sweepstakes. The Clippers re-signed Austin Rivers and Wesley Johnson on Saturday night. That comes less than 24 hours after Durant was reportedly “blown away” by the Clippers’ pitch.

So much for that.

The Warriors are reportedly negotiating with free agent guard Jamal Crawford, according to Rotoworld's Ed Isaacson, which would likely take them out of the Durant sweepstakes as well. But they might hold off until they receive word from Durant. The Spurs have a difficult cap situation and would need to trade at least one player to add Durant.

If those teams are eliminated, that would leave the Heat, who Durant meets with Sunday, the Thunder, and the Celtics.

Adrian Wojnarowski suggested Saturday Durant had been recruiting Horford to sign with the Thunder (who would have to trade Enes Kanter to make it work), but Horford ultimately decided there was no assurance that Durant and Russell Westbrook would stay there long-term.

If we’re reading between the lines of Woj’s report, it’s fair to wonder if Durant shares those concerns. If that’s the case, then it could be very good news for the Celtics at some point over the next two days.

Monday night’s Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular might have a bit of an extra special meaning this year for Celtics fans.


bob


.

Been messaging with Marcus whom is out in Chicago doing his internship. He just sent me this.

The Celtics are here in Salt Lake City for summer league. One of the 1st off the bus was Danny Ainge, sporting a huge grin and green Kevin Durant sneakers. I wonder why?

Now I have no idea where he saw this, he hasn't replied yet but it is interesting regardless.

Personally I think he returns to OKC BUT...........

beat

beat wrote:Been messaging with Marcus whom is out in Chicago doing his internship. He just sent me this.

The Celtics are here in Salt Lake City for summer league. One of the 1st off the bus was Danny Ainge, sporting a huge grin and green Kevin Durant sneakers. I wonder why?

Now I have no idea where he saw this, he hasn't replied yet but it is interesting regardless.

Personally I think he returns to OKC BUT...........

beat

Beat,


A. Sherrod Blakely
A. Sherrod Blakely
@SherrodbCSN about 1 hour ago
The .@Marc D'Amico are here in Salt Lake City for summer league. One of the 1st off the bus was Danny Ainge, sporting a huge grin. I wonder why?

Reply Retweet Like


bob

.

bobheckler wrote:

beat wrote:Been messaging with Marcus whom is out in Chicago doing his internship. He just sent me this.

The Celtics are here in Salt Lake City for summer league. One of the 1st off the bus was Danny Ainge, sporting a huge grin and green Kevin Durant sneakers. I wonder why?

Now I have no idea where he saw this, he hasn't replied yet but it is interesting regardless.

Personally I think he returns to OKC BUT...........

beat

Beat,


A. Sherrod Blakely
A. Sherrod Blakely
@SherrodbCSN about 1 hour ago
The .@Marc D'Amico are here in Salt Lake City for summer league. One of the 1st off the bus was Danny Ainge, sporting a huge grin. I wonder why?

Reply Retweet Like


bob

.

Still hasn't got back to me.

Thanks

Also if your interested.....

Marcus is heading to Minnesota with the team tomorrow (Chicago Sky) they are flying but he is driving, game is Tuesday and he comes back to Chicago on Wed.  He messaged me that due to the filming of a Gatorade commercial with the teams top Player and league MVP Elanea Della Donne, she will miss the flight so Marcus is providing the ride back to Chicago. The commercial she is filming is being done with Kevin Garnett, he's hoping to get a chance to meet KG and perhaps get a photo with him. Lucky stiff !!

He drives a Dodge Dart and she's 6'5".......hope she fits OK

Durant supposedly "strongly considering" joining the Warriors:

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/kevin-durant-strongly-considering-joining-222030877.html

If that happens, hope he enjoys riding along on someone else's coattails if they win a title.

If you can believe what you read online (no, of course I don't!) KD has it down to the Warriors or remaining with OKC. Announcement Monday.

Of course, this guarantees he signs with the Nets...

Durant is waiting until Monday to see how good Guershon Yabusele and Demetrius Jackson look in Summer League.

are Yabusele and Zizic on the SL roster?