NBA News Roundup - Thursday, May 9th: Kevin Durant free agency update, Lakers head coach search goes on and more

After a slow start, the 2019 postseason has caught fire over the past week. The Rockets have a real shot at finally ending Golden State's dominance, while Kawhi Leonard and Giannis Antetokounmpo are on course for a titanic matchup in the Eastern Finals.

Elsewhere, the annual NBA draft is just weeks away, and struggling teams are desperate to land either Ja Morant or Zion Williamson. The futures of upcoming free agents such as Kemba Walker and Kyrie Irving have also yet to be determined, and here are all the latest news and rumours you need to know for May 9th.

Lakers end talks with Tyronn Lue

Lue, most recently head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, won't be joining the Lakers after all

Following the departure of Luke Walton last month, Tyronn Lue had been heavily backed to become the new Lakers head coach. The 42-year-old had been in talks with them over the past week and was believed to be LeBron James' preferred choice at the helm. However, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that Lue is now out of the running to become the Lakers' new coach:

Negotiations between the Los Angeles Lakers and Tyronn Lue have ended without an agreement to make him the franchise's next head coach, league sources told ESPN.

Lue and his representatives turned down the Lakers' offer Tuesday, league sources said. The Lakers then on Wednesday offered Lue a deal in the range of three years and $18 million, after which Lue's side pulled out of negotiations.

According to the sources, Lue's camp was seeking a five-year deal with a salary commensurate with a championship résumé.

Lue was dismissed from the Cavs following a six-game losing start to the 18/19 season, having previously led them to the 2016 NBA Championship.

Knicks facing a battle to secure Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving?

Kyrie in action against the Milwaukee Bucks during this season's Eastern Conference semi-finals

Since the turn of the year, the New York Knicks have been widely viewed as the most likely destination for both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in. However, Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders is now reporting that there are no guarantees that the team will land either KD or Irving:

The idea that Irving and Warriors forward Kevin Durant have already decided on New York has been shot down by both people close to Irving and people close to the Knicks.

The Knicks remain hopeful they can pair two elite stars with their promising young core, but they haven’t been given any assurances from anyone, including Irving, according to sources close to the Knicks.

If the Knicks miss out on either of the All-Star pair, they may turn their attention to other impending free agents such as Kemba Walker.

Boston Celtics eliminated from the playoffs

The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Boston Celtics to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals

After a turbulent regular season, the Boston Celtics last night saw their 18/19 season come to an end. The Celtics suffered a 116-91 loss at the hands of the Bucks, and at no point in the game did Brad Stevens' team look like pulling off a comeback. In response to their semi-final exit, Stevens blamed himself during the post-match press conference:

"I'll be the first to say that this, as far as any other year I've been a head coach, it's certainly been the most trying. I think I've done -- I did a bad job. At the end of the day, as a coach, if your team doesn't find its best fit together, that's on you."

Following their exit, the Celtics face an uncertain future, with Kyrie Irving likely to leave in free agency.