NBA Rumors: Nets Confident About Free Agency With Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving Set To Hit Market

With some of the NBA's best players set to hit free agency this summer, a handful of teams have been linked to the top stars that will hit the market. There are rumors that the New York Knicks are in line to potentially sign multiple game-changing players, while the Los Angeles Clippers are expected to be a desired destination.

The Los Angeles Lakers will have the cap space necessary to sign one max free agent, though much of the talk has been regarding the idea that they won't be anyone's first choice.

What about the Brooklyn Nets? They will have enough room under the salary cap to give out one max contract, and if they get creative with a trade, a second spot for a star player could open up.

After making the playoffs as the No. 6 seed in Eastern Conference, Brooklyn certainly feels like they’ve put themselves in a good position to make a splash in July.

“The process we went through this year — and there’s a lot of positives that’ve come out of this year — can only help,” Nets’ general manager Sean Marks told The New York Post. “It’s going to attract free agents. People are going to want to play here. They’re going to want to play for Kenny, they’re going to want to play in Brooklyn, they’re going to play for this ownership group. We have a lot of things going for us.”

The Knicks are the heavy favorites to sign Kevin Durant. If Kyrie Irving leaves the Boston Celtics, the Knicks will be considered the most likely landing spot for the point guard.

The fact that Durant and Irving are contemplating heading to New York has many NBA insiders wondering if the players might consider the Nets to be a better option.

Brooklyn finished 25 games ahead of the Knicks in the standings. D'Angelo Russell made his first All-Star team. Caris LeVert led Brooklyn with 21 points per game in the postseason.

“If you’re a top-tier player, this is an organization you want to be at, from coaching to the performance,” Nets’ forward DeMarre Carroll told The Post. “Our young core helped change some of the perspective of these top-tier players.”

The Knicks’ ability to compete over the next few years will rely mostly on what happens in the draft lottery and free agency. The Nets have been praised for building a winning culture under head coach Kenny Atkinson.

“The word is out. People know about it. People know how good Kenny and Sean Marks are and what they’ve done,” Nets’ forward Jared Dudley said. “Free agents would definitely consider it. Now, them picking it, that’s where maybe Brooklyn has a little more to do.”

ESPN Stephen A Smith reported earlier this year that Durant and Irving might view the Nets as a realistic option in free agency. Former NBA TV analyst and new New Orleans Pelicans president David Griffin also noted that Irving might prefer to join the Nets.

Russell's impending free agency could complicate Brooklyn's pursuit of Irving.

Kawhi Leonard is thought to be headed to the Clippers, though the Nets will almost certainly make a play for him. If Brooklyn misses on the top-tier free agents, Jimmy Butler could be an option.