NBA News Roundup, Friday, June 7th: Brooklyn Nets want Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, Warriors injury update and more

With the NBA Finals now upon us, the playoffs are the talk of the basketball world - although there is no shortage of other stories emerging across the league.

The 2019 draft is just weeks away and teams will be hoping to strike gold by drafting either Zion Williamson or Ja Morant. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis continues to be linked with a blockbuster trade, while a host of stars including Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, and Kemba Walker are about to hit free agency.

With plenty happening around the NBA, here's a look at the biggest news stories and rumours you need to know for June 7th.

Nets remain hopeful of signing Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving is expected to leave the Celtics this summer

Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant will be among this summer's most coveted free agents, and ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the Brooklyn Nets remain hopeful of landing both All-Stars:

Boston guard Kyrie Irving -- who is expected to become a free agent - and Brooklyn have a strong mutual interest, league sources tell ESPN. The Nets have $46 million in salary-cap space to sign two maximum contract free agents, which would include Brooklyn's dream scenario of luring Irving and Golden State's Kevin Durant to the franchise, league sources said.

The Knicks are pursuing the same partnership, but league sources say that Irving's interest in the Nets has increased and Brooklyn has emerged as a serious contender to attract Irving. The Nets could keep restricted free agent guard D'Angelo Russell on a max -- or near max -- deal to play with a free agent star too.

Most experts believe that the Nets are the front-runners for Irving's signature, although Kevin Durant has been backed to head to the Knicks.

Golden State Warriors receive mixed injury news

Klay Thompson sat out of Game 3 with a hamstring injury

The Golden State Warriors have been affected by injuries in recent weeks, and during their Game 3 loss to Toronto, the team was without Kevon Looney, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant.

Ahead of Game 4 on Friday, ESPN is reporting that Durant remains out, although there are positive updates on Thompson and Looney:

Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant will not play in Game 4 of the NBA Finals because of the calf injury that has sidelined him for nearly a month, but Klay Thompson is expected to return Friday for Golden State.

After undergoing further evaluation of the non-displaced first costal cartilage fracture he suffered in Game 2, Golden State forward Kevon Looney could potentially return during the NBA Finals.

During the first two games of the series, Thompson averaged 23 points per game and connected with more than 50% of his three-point attempts.

Dwight Powell to opt into Mavericks contract

Dwight Powell has been with the Dallas Mavericks since 2014

Last month, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports suggested that Dwight Powell would test his free agency this summer, although Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News is now reporting that the 27-year-old has agreed to remain in Dallas for the 19-20 season:

Told by reliable source that, contrary to Yahoo report last month, Dwight Powell plans to opt in and play for the Mavs at $10.2M next season and sign sign an extension after July 5. No wonder Powell spoke so certainly of remaining a Mav. Has until June 29 to make it official.

During the 18-19 campaign, Powell averaged 10.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. He was among Dallas' most productive players from the bench, and his decision to opt into the final year of his contract is a major boost for the franchise.