NBA News Roundup, Tuesday, May 21st: Kevin Durant heading towards Golden State exit, Kyrie Irving 'open to signing with the Lakers', and more

With the NBA Finals now upon us, the playoffs are currently 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 21st.

Magic Johnson speaks out on his exit from the Lakers

Portland Trail Blazers v Los Angeles Lakers

During an appearance on yesterday's edition of ESPN's First Take, Magic Johnson spoke for the first time about his exit from the Los Angeles Lakers. During the interview, Johnson expressed why Rob Polinka played a major factor in his decision to leave the team :

If you're going to talk betrayal, it's only with Rob. But, again, I had to look inside myself. I had been doing that for months. Because I didn't like that Tim Harris was too involved in basketball. He's supposed to run the Laker business, but he was trying to come over to our side. Jeanie's gotta stop that. You gotta stop people from having those voices.

Things got going in the right direction, and then I start hearing, you know, 'Magic, you're not working hard enough. Magic's not in the office.' So people around the Laker office was telling me Rob was saying things—Rob Pelinka—and I didn't like those things being said behind my back, that I wasn't in office enough and so on and on. So I start getting calls from my friends outside of basketball saying those things now were said to them outside of basketball.

Pelinka is the current general manager of the Lakers, and he is contracted for a further three years.

Kyrie Irving will consider the Lakers

Indiana Pacers v Boston Celtics - Game One

Kyrie Irving is expected to leave the Boston Celtics this summer, and the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks have been touted as his most likely destinations. Yet, ESPN's Brian Windhorst is reporting that Irving will also consider the Lakers:

If you had asked me six months ago, I’d had said the door was closed and locked — that was not gonna happen. But over the last few months, there is no doubt there’s been a thawing between Kyrie and LeBron and Kyrie has become to be more open to joining the Lakers and has done some research on the organization.

That said, with Magic [Johnson] leaving — that was a guy he felt a connection to — and with great opportunities in Brooklyn and in New York, plus Boston trying to keep him, I think the Lakers are lower on his list. But they’re on his list, and that gives them a fighting chance. Boston has got to still be worried about the Lakers in the Kyrie pursuit.

During the 18/19 season, Irving averaged 23.8 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game -- although his relationship with the franchise deteriorated as the season progressed.

Kevin Durant unhappy with the Warriors

Houston Rockets v Golden State Warriors - Game Five

As an impending free-agent, Kevin Durant is among the most in-demand individuals heading into the offseason. While he could still re-sign with the Warriors, the 2014 MVP has refused to commit his future to the franchise, and Newsday's Steve Popper is citing an NBA executive who believes Durant is unhappy with Steve Kerr:

But one front office executive said that Durant has been unhappy with the prodding from Steve Kerr and the feeling that he never can be - no matter how great he performs and how many individual honors he compiles - the centerpiece of a team that holds Steph Curry in the hearts of the franchise.

Since joining back in 2016, Durant has won back to back championships with the Warriors. The 30-year-old was also named Finals MVP in both 2017 and 2018.