NBA News Roundup, Thursday, May 23rd: Warriors expect Kevin Durant to leave, Porzingis rumor confirmed 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 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 rumors you need to know for May 23rd.

The Warriors believe that Kevin Durant will leave this summer

Golden State Warriors v Los Angeles Clippers - Game Six

Over the past two weeks, the Golden State Warriors have flourished without the injured Kevin Durant, and the former MVP continues to be linked with a summer exit. Durant is an upcoming free agent, and he has long been tipped to join either the New York Knicks or Los Angeles Clippers.

Appearing on ESPN's The Jump on Wednesday, Ramona Shelburne suggested that there is a growing belief within the Warriors that Durant will leave this summer:

I've thought he's going to leave Golden State as well. I think there's a sense there that he's going to leave Golden State too. I think you feel that within the Warriors organization.

That's why this whole run feels like they're all just trying to savor it. Right? They're trying to savor what this is and just how special it is. But I don't know. Kevin Durant is an emotional guy, and I say that with respect, he's passionate.

Durant has won back-to-back championships with the Warriors, although many have criticized his decision to join a 73-win team.

Dan Gilbert pleased with Irving trade

Milwaukee Bucks v Boston Celtics - Game Four

The Cleveland Cavaliers traded Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics back in 2017, and many viewed Boston as the major winners of the deal. However, speaking to The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert labelled the trade as a success:

It becomes a melting snowball. We had to trade him when we did. What team would want Kyrie with only one year on his contract knowing he could leave after the season? You won’t get much back. The agent was telling us, if we don’t trade him, there is some surgery he is on the borderline of having on his knee. It was possible he could be out for most of the year. It turned out to be true.

I don’t know, but I think Kyrie will leave Boston. We could have ended up with nothing. Looking back after all the moves Koby made, we killed it in that trade.

Irving has averaged 24.1 points, 6.1 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game during his two seasons in Boston, although he is expected to leave this summer.

Kristaps Porzingis demanded a trade from the Knicks

Kristaps Porzingis completed a stunning trade to the Dallas Mavericks ahead of the February trade deadline. The 23-year-old was sent to Dallas in exchange for Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre Jordan, and Wesley Matthews, and due to the suddenness of the deal, many believed that Porzingis had demanded to be traded.

Speaking at an event on Wednesday, Knicks president Steve Mills confirmed Porzingis' desire to leave, saying that the center had threatened to return to Europe:

[Porzingis] point-blank said to us, 'I don't want to be here. [He said] I'm not going to re-sign with the Knicks and I'm going to give you seven days to trade me, or I'm going back to Europe. Fortunately for us, through that process we [started] in September, we had a number of deals lined up, and we started the trade calls as soon as he walked out of the office.

Porzingis has yet to make an appearance for the Mavericks, although he hopes to return in time for the start of the 19/20 season.

Edited by Arvind Sriram