NBA News Roundup, Tuesday, April 9th: Kyrie Irving could join Lakers, Golden State prepared for Kevin Durant exit and more

Kyrie Irving will consider the Lakers this summer
Kyrie Irving will consider the Lakers this summer

The 2018/19 NBA regular season will conclude later this week ahead of the upcoming playoffs. The postseason gets underway on Saturday, and three Eastern Conference teams are still fighting to secure the final playoff berth.

With just two games to go, the Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets, and Detroit Pistons all have a chance to make the 2019 playoffs, while already eliminated teams are gearing pivotal offseasons. So, here are all the news and rumors you need to know for April 9th.


#3. Kyrie Irving will meet with the Lakers this summer

Irving previously spent three years alongside LeBron in Cleveland
Irving previously spent three years alongside LeBron in Cleveland

Just six months ago, Kyrie Irving looked likely to sign a new deal with the Celtics, however, the All-Star's commitment to the franchise has since faded -- and it appears that Irving will walk away from the Celtics this summer.

The Lakers have been among the team's strongly linked with Irving, and ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith has revealed that the Lakers are among the teams that the point guard will meet with:

I'm told Kyrie Irving will grant the Lakers an interview this offseason. The Lakers will have an opportunity to get Kyrie Irving to come to LA. During his free agent tour, I'm told he's going to give the Lakers an interview.
LeBron James is already there for the next three years. And this man left Cleveland because he didn't want to play with LeBron James. So the fact that he's willing to spend time and talk to the Lakers and give it consideration, that's a long way from the Kyrie Irving that left Cleveland, and left LeBron in Cleveland.

During their three seasons together in Cleveland, Irving and LeBron helped the Cavs win their first NBA title, and the two are believed to have now put past problems behind them.

#2. Lonzo Ball signs with Creative Artists Agency

Lonzo Ball has appointed CAA as his new representation
Lonzo Ball has appointed CAA as his new representation

Just one-week after parting ways with his agent of two-years, Lonzo Ball has new representation in Creative Artists Agency. In a statement released to ESPN, Ball said:

After thinking about this decision over the last few weeks, I concluded that CAA made the most sense for my career both on and off the court. With CAA now in place to manage my basketball career, I can focus my attention and energy on training for the upcoming season.

Ball's decision to part ways with Harrison Gaines arose just days after the point guard had sued Big Baller Brand co-founder Alan Foster for $2 million. The lawsuit came following claims that Foster had embezzled millions of dollars to enrich himself.

While Ball has recently put distance between himself and his father, LaVar, ESPN is also reporting that the elder Ball was involved in discussions with CAA.

#2. Golden State confident of Durant stay

Kevin Durant has been linked with the New York Knicks
Kevin Durant has been linked with the New York Knicks

Kevin Durant signed a one-year contract extension with the Warriors last summer, although ever since busting up with Draymond Green during the early stages of the season, KD has been linked with a summer departure.

Speaking on the superstar's future, Golden State owner and CEO Joe Lacob told The Athletic that he was confident in the Warriors' ability to convince Durant to stay:

Look, we can pay him the most money. We have a great team. We have great coaching. We have great fans. I don’t think anyone can match us, when you take everything into consideration if that’s the way you’re thinking about it. And he has a chance to win. I don’t know that you get this kind of opportunity very often. So I would hope that he thinks that and accepts that and decides he wants to stay.

Durant joined Golden State back in 2016, and he has since helped the team to back-to-back championships -- being named Finals MVP on both occasions.

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Edited by Rahul Arun