NBA News Roundup, Friday, June 14th: Kyrie Irving heading to Brooklyn, Kemba Walker discusses his future and more

The 2019 offseason is quickly approaching and it is gearing up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. The upcoming free agent class is perhaps the best in NBA history, as the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler and Kevin Durant will all be up for grabs.

Teams such as the Lakers, Thunder and Rockets are also attempting to make big moves as they look to build a roster that can compete during the 2019/20 season while superstars such as Anthony Davis continue to be linked with a blockbuster trade. So, here are all the latest NBA rumours and news you need to know for June 14th:

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Jonas Valanciunas declines $17.6M option; hopes to secure a longer deal

Jonas Valanciunas was traded to the Grizzlies from the Raptors back in February

With free agency quickly approaching, a number of players around the league must decide whether to activate their final year player-options. Among them is Jonas Valanciunas, and ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the center has turned down the final year of his deal in order to secure a longer contract:

Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas is declining the $17.6M player option on his 2019-20 contract, clearing the way to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, league sources told ESPN.

Valanciunas' primary intention will be to negotiate a new longer-term deal with the Grizzlies, league sources said. In the post Marc Gasol-era, Valanciunas remains the franchise's focus to continue as its starting center.

Memphis VP of Basketball Operations Zach Kleiman and Valanciunas' agent, Leon Rose of CAA, are expected to work aggressively on finding the pathway to a new deal, sources said.

Valanciunas, 27, joined the Memphis Grizzlies back in February as part of the trade that took Marc Gasol to Toronto. In 19 games, he averaged 19.9 points and 10.7 rebounds per game.

Kemba Walker would take less money to remain with the Hornets

Kemba Walker has spent his entire career with the Charlotte franchise

After being named to an All-NBA team this season, Kemba Walker is eligible to sign a five-year contract worth up to $221million. However, when speaking to reporters at his annual basketball camp in Charlotte, Walker revealed that he would be open to taking a pay cut:

Yeah, why not? Yeah I would be. I would take less, yeah. That all factors in (to my decision) when I sit down with the teams and hear what guys have to say. I think that will all come into play, I'm not really sure right now. Like I said Charlotte is my first priority and I have to see what [the Hornets] have to offer, as well as other teams.

However, he also offered no guarantees that he'd return to Charlotte for the 19/20 season:

I have been here for eight years and it's the team that drafted me. So yeah it's my first priority. I don't know if I will sign back with them, but they are my first priority.

Walker averaged a career-high 25.6 points and 5.9 assists for the Hornets this season and is believed to be attracting interest from teams including the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kyrie Irving set to join Nets in free agency

Kyrie Irving has plans to link up with the Nets this summer

Kyrie Irving is set to leave the Boston Celtics in free agency, and Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald is reporting that the point guard plans to sign with the Brooklyn Nets:

According to a source with ties to Roc Nation, the organization expected to become Irving’s new representative, the All-Star point guard is prepared to sign with the Brooklyn Nets when he becomes a free agent next month.

A separate league source told the Herald that his team [not the Celtics] has received the same information and is operating under the belief that Irving wants to join the Nets.

Irving joined the Celtics from the Cleveland Cavaliers back in 2017, although he has been unable to guide the team to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2010. Meanwhile, the Nets have built up an impressive young roster and have the cap space to add two max deals this summer.