NBA News Roundup, Thursday, June 27th: Kevin Durant declines $31.5M player option, update on Lakers' pursuit of Kawhi Leonard and more

The 2019 offseason is finally here, 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 Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Houston Rockets are also attempting to make big moves as they look to build a roster that can compete during the 2019/20 season. So, here are all the latest NBA rumors you need to know for June 27.

Kevin Durant declines $31.5M player option for 19-20 season

Kevin Durant has spent the past three seasons with the Golden State Warriors

Despite suffering an Achilles injury during the NBA Finals, Kevin Durant is still expected to be among the summer's most in-demand free agents. The Warriors remain keen to sign KD to a new long-term deal, although Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN is reporting that the 30-year-old has opted out of the final year of his existing deal:

Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant has declined his $31.5M player option and will become an unrestricted free agent, league sources tell ESPN.

Durant and his business manager Rich Kleiman are in New York, evaluating free agency options. So far, process has stayed private

According to Wojnarowski, Durant is considering a number of options in free agency, including a potential return to Golden State.

However, other potential destinations include the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, and the Los Angeles Clippers.

Durant can now sign a four-year, $164 million deal with a rival team, although he is eligible to sign a five-year, $221 million deal if he stays with the Warriors.

Kawhi Leonard's move to Los Angeles in doubt

Are the signs pointing to Kawhi Leonard remaining with the Raptors this summer?

After guiding the Toronto Raptors to a first-ever championship, Kawhi Leonard is attracting interest from both the Clippers and Lakers. However, Chris Mannix of SI is reporting that Leonard is skeptical of making the move to either Los Angeles franchise:

According to Mannix, people who are familiar with Leonard's line of thinking are skeptical of a potential move to either of the Los Angeles franchises. Leonard's arrival at the Lakers would give them the foundations of a super team, however, it appears that that's unlikely to come to fruition this summer.

During the 2019 postseason, Leonard averaged 30.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. The former San Antonio man also shot nearly 50% from the field, while knocking down 38% of his attempts from beyond the arc.

Knicks considering offering DeMarcus Cousins a one-year deal

DeMarcus Cousins spent the 18-19 season with the Golden State Warriors

DeMarcus Cousins' one year spell with the Golden State Warriors ended without a championship, and it is unknown whether the Warriors will offer the 28-year-old a route back for the 19-20 season.

However, Cousins is expected to attract interest from elsewhere, and Marc Stein of the New York Times is reporting that the Knicks could make a move for the former All-Star:

The Knicks are weighing the prospect of extending a considerable one-year offer to Warriors free-agent big man DeMarcus Cousins if they miss out on top target Kevin Durant, league sources say.

Cousins signed a $5.3 million mid-level exception deal with the Warriors last summer, although the center is set to earn more money this summer after proving his fitness since the turn of the year. The Lakers have also been mooted as an interested team.