NBA News Roundup, Saturday, June 1st: Chris Paul attracting interest from around the NBA, Golden State fearful of Raptors and more

The NBA Finals are finally here, and Toronto's surprise Game 1 win over the Warriors is currently the talk of the basketball world. Yet, with the summer quickly approaching, there is no shortage of other stories emerging from around 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, and a host of stars including Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, and Kemba Walker are about to hit free agency.

So, with plenty happening around the NBA, here are the biggest news stories and rumours you need to know for June 1st.

Chris Paul attracting interest from Charlotte and Miami

The pairing of James Harden and Chris Paul failed to yield an NBA Finals appearance for Houston

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported earlier this week that the Houston Rockets are willing to undergo a major overhaul, although many expressed their belief that Chris Paul would be nearly impossible to move. Paul turned 34 earlier this year, and he still has three years remaining on the four-year $160 million deal he signed last summer.

However, according to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, CP3 is attracting interest from both Charlotte and Miami, while the Lakers and Knicks are also mentioned as potential destinations:

Charlotte and Miami are among the teams that could be interested in Paul. Phoenix is weighing its options at point guard, but there is an outside chance they'd get involved. And keep an eye on the Lakers or Knicks - it's likely that one of them will strike out in free agency and need a face-saving trade to rescue the summer. Paul is a face-saving trade target.

Warriors concerned they can't beat Toronto without Kevin Durant

Steve Kerr's men suffered a 118-109 Game 1 defeat in Toronto

Kevin Durant has not played since Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals, and he was once again missing on Thursday night as the Warriors slumped to a 118-109 Game 1 defeat in the NBA Finals. Up until the defeat in Toronto, the Warriors had won five straight games without Durant, although ESPN's Ramona Shelburne believes that Golden State are worried about their chances of beating Toronto without KD:

Privately, the Warriors had been concerned about their chances to beat Toronto or Milwaukee in the Finals if Durant wasn't able to play. They knew they needed him as a failsafe on offense and maybe even more at the defensive end, given potential matchups with Kawhi Leonard or Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The 30-year-old is unlikely to play in Game 2, although he has been backed to return midway through the series.

Clippers fined $50,000 for breaking tampering rules

Doc Rivers compared Kawhi Leonard to Michael Jordan

Heading into the summer, Kawhi Leonard is the LA Clippers' number one free agent target, although ESPN is reporting that the franchise has been fined for breaking league tampering rules:

The NBA fined the LA Clippers $50,000 on Friday for tampering because of comments head coach Doc Rivers made about Toronto Raptors star Kawhi Leonard earlier this week. The league did not specify which comments violated the anti-tampering rule.

The fine is believed to have been issued in response to Doc Rivers comparing Leonard to Michael Jordan.

Ahead of the fine, the Raptors had already complained to the NBA about the Clippers' conduct, although the LA franchise is only likely to ramp up their interest in Leonard over the next month. Leonard has helped guide the Raptors to a first NBA Finals appearance, although he will be a free agent this summer.