NBA News Roundup, Wednesday, April 10th: Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to join the Knicks, Dwyane Wade's final home game, and more

The 18/19 NBA regular-season is now into its final week, and the 2019 playoffs are set to get underway on Saturday. While contending teams such as the Rockets are hoping to dethrone the rampant Warriors, already eliminated franchises such as the Lakers and Knicks are looking forward to a busy and potentially pivotal offseason.

Due to this, there is no shortage of news from around the NBA, and here are the biggest stories that you need to know for Wednesday, April 10th.

Lakers almost signed Jabari Parker

In the weeks leading up to the February trade deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers frantically pursued a number of high-profile names such as Anthony Davis. However, a player that was never mentioned was Jabari Parker -- and Bill Oram of The Athletic is reporting that the Lakers nearly completed a move for the 24-year-old -- only for a deal to fall apart due to the Chicago Bulls' frustration with how the Lakers handled trade talks:

On the weekend of Jan. 25, the Lakers had a tentative deal in place to acquire Bulls forward Jabari Parker in exchange for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Michael Beasley. However, Caldwell-Pope another Rich Paul client had to approve any trade and had not signed off on the deal.

The deal remained in limbo until Jan. 28, when Davis requested a trade out of New Orleans. With most around the league viewing that statement, issued by Paul, as an effort to team Davis with James in L.A., the Bulls moved on and realized the Lakers would cease business until the Davis saga unfolded.

Following his failed move to the Lakers, Parker subsequently joined the Washington Wizards, and he has since featured 25 times.

Dwyane Wade honored during his final game in Miami

Dwyane Wade last night played his final home game with the Miami Heat

After a legendary 16 season career Dwyane Wade last night played his final home game as the Miami Heat hosted the Philadelphia 76ers. The 37-year-old who is set to retire this summer received a number of tributes throughout an emotional night.

Jimmy Butler was among the players who wore a t-shirt honoring Wade's career, while the Heat also displayed a number of video packages that acknowledged the veteran's immense impact on the franchise.

Despite facing a playoff-bound Sixers team, Miami came away with a 122-99 win, as Wade rolled back the years to score 30 points. The game may also prove to be Wade's last, as the Heat were eliminated from the playoffs due to the Pistons' victory hours earlier.

Nevertheless, Wade will finish his Miami career having won three championships, appearing on 13 All-Star teams and winning a scoring title.

Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant appear to be New York-bound

KD and Irving could soon find themselves in New York

Both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant are expected to opt out of their contracts this summer and according to Frank Isola of The Athletic, both players could be set to move to the Knicks:

The belief is that Durant will only join the Knicks if another high-level free agent agrees to sign with the Knicks as well. The most likely candidate is the Celtics’ Kyrie Irving - who coincidentally won a championship in Cleveland as Robin to LeBron’s Batman. He could fill that same role at MSG.

So sure are some executives and player agents of a Durant-Irving pairing in New York that one agent told The Athletic that Durant and Irving are debating on who will sign first.

Irving and KD are established All-Stars, with both players widely considered to be among the best in the league. Following the departure of Kristaps Porzingis, the Knicks have the cap room to add them both -- and the New York franchise could be a major contender next year.

Edited by Arvind Sriram