NBA News Roundup, Tuesday, May 7th: Klay Thompson could join the Clippers, DeMarcus Cousins eyes Warriors comeback and more

After a somewhat modest showing in round one, the 2019 postseason is starting to kick into full gear. The Rockets are locked in a bitter series against a Golden State team looking to win a third consecutive championship, while Kawhi Leonard is demonstrating exactly why he will be in high demand this summer.

The annual NBA draft is also just six weeks away, and all eyes are on Zion Williamson -- who many experts have labeled as the most promising teenager to enter the NBA since LeBron James back in 2003.

The futures of upcoming free-agents such as Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant are also constant topics for speculation, so, here are all the latest news and rumors you need to know for May 7th.

Kawhi Leonard to consider re-signing with the Raptors

Toronto Raptors v Philadelphia 76ers - Game Four

Kawhi Leonard joined the Toronto Raptors last summer in the blockbuster deal that saw DeMar DeRozan move in the opposite direction. The Raptors hoped that Leonard could deliver a first title to the franchise, although the 27-year-old has been heavily linked with a summer move to the LA Clippers.

However, despite the expectation that Leonard will leave, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the All-Star is still considering a stay in Toronto:

Kawhi Leonard just felt all along, it was going to take the full year to sell him on Toronto. It wasn't going to be done in training camp or by Christmas or by the trade deadline. But I do think they've made progress with him.

I think they've made pretty good progress with him from the sense I have. They put themselves in it. And when Kawhi showed up there, I'm not sure he imagined any future in Toronto. I do think it's a serious consideration now

During the postseason, Leonard has averaged more than 30 points per game, and he will be looking to give his Raptors team a 3-2 series lead over the Sixers when they meet later tonight.

Klay Thompson could join the Clippers

Golden State Warriors v Los Angeles Lakers

Klay Thompson has spent his entire career with the Golden State Warriors, and despite hitting free agency this summer, many had tipped the 29-year-old to remain with his current team. However, according to ESPN, Thompson could look to join the Clippers if the Warriors fail to meet his salary demands:

If they come with a five-year, $190 million max deal for Klay Thompson, that's done on July 1. He's going into the new building with Steph Curry. If they try to do anything less than that, you can expect Klay Thompson to be out in free agency. Watch not for the Lakers then, but the Clippers.

At 29, Thompson is entering the prime of his career, and the Clippers are known to be targeting the signing of two free agents this summer. Nevertheless, the Warriors still look likely to secure Thompson's long term future by offering him a new max deal.

DeMarcus Cousins expects to return this season

DeMarcus Cousins has not played since April 15, when he suffered a quad injury in the first quarter of Game 2 of a first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers. While Cousins didn't undergo surgery, the injury was expected to keep him out for the remainder of the postseason.

However, head coach Steve Kerr has since revealed that his starting center could return this season, and Cousins himself is confident of his prospects of returning for the Warriors' championship push:

For me, my goal is I ain't planning on sitting. I don't know the reality of it. But for me, that is not what I'm planning on doing...It's definitely some type of bad movie. But I think it will have a very nice ending. Just wait for it.

Over the course of the 18/19 season, Cousins averaged 16.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.

Edited by Arvind Sriram