'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The NBA playoffs are currently the talk of the basketball world, although there are also a number of other developing stories. Eliminated teams are preparing for both the upcoming draft and free agency period, while teams such as the Lakers are on the hunt for a new head coach.
So, with plenty going on around the league, here are all the stories you need to know for April 17th.
Kevin Durant backed to leave the Golden State Warriors
Kendrick Perkins is a close friend of Kevin Durant, having played four seasons alongside the All-Star in Oklahoma City. Perkins has consistently backed Durant to leave the Golden State Warriors this summer, and when appearing on ESPN's 'The Jump', Perkins once again backed KD to exit the team:
I'm really close friends with KD... I feel that he has done what he needed to do in Golden State. He won a couple of rings and it is always going to be Steph's (Curry) team. I think now it's time for KD to move on, so it can be Kevin's (Durant) team.
I know they got KD so they could win titles, but now it's time for KD to move on so he can have his own franchise.
Durant has won back to back championships with Golden State since joining back in 2016. Nevertheless, the 2014 MVP has continually refused to commit his long term future to the franchise, and earlier this season, he had a notable bust-up with teammate Draymond Green.
The 30-year-old has expressed his desire to sign a maximum contract this summer, and while Golden State can offer him more money than their NBA rivals, Durant is widely expected to exit the team.
DeMarcus Cousins is set to miss the remainder of the playoffs
DeMarcus Cousins suffered a serious-looking injury during the Warriors' Game 2 loss to the LA Clippers and according to the team's latest update, Cousins looks set to miss the entire postseason:
Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins, who exited last night's Game 2 against the Los Angeles Clippers with 8:09 remaining in the first quarter, underwent an MRI exam earlier this morning in the Bay Area. The MRI confirmed that Cousins has suffered a torn left quadriceps muscle. The injury will sideline Cousins indefinitely and he will begin rehabilitation immediately. Updates on his progress will be provided as appropriate.
Cousins had only recently returned from a serious Achilles injury that kept him sidelined for more than a year. During his time with the Warriors, Cousins has averaged 16.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, although he looks to have now played his final game for the franchise.
Celtics hosting pre-draft workouts
The Boston Celtics are currently focusing on a potentially lengthy playoff run, although the organization also has one eye on the upcoming NBA draft. According to Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe, the Celtics have already hosted three senior prospects:
Celtics draft prep rolls on during the playoffs. Heard that a group in for workouts today included Cam Johnson (UNC), Quinndary Weatherspoon (Miss State) and Justin Robinson (Va Tech).
The most notable name of the trio is Quinndary Weatherspoon, who averaged 18.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists during his senior season at Mississippi State.
Despite being one of the NBA's best teams, the Celtics once again find themselves among the major players of the draft, as the team will have at least three first-round picks. The Celtics could also end up with the Memphis Grizzlies pick.
Guess the Lakers players!
