With the start of NBA free agency just days away, teams are preparing to pony up and open their wallets to land some of the league's top talent.
One of the crown jewels of the 2019 free agent class is two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowkski is reporting Durant has indeed declined his $31.5 million player option with Golden State for next season, thus ushering in this summer's biggest sweepstakes.
Durant's Achilles injury reportedly hasn't waned the interest of several teams, so it looks like he'll have plenty of options when it comes time to make a decision.
Sporting News will keep you up to date on the latest deals, rumors and speculation below.
MORE: 2019 free agent rankings | NBA Draft grades for every team
Kevin Durant free agency: Tracking the latest news, rumors, predictions
Steph to stop in NY for visit with KD
Team: Golden State Warriors
Rumor: Stephen Curry will reportedly make another recruiting pitch to Durant in the Empire State. This time, he'll join team president and general manager Bob Myers during a stopover for a trip home from Asia. Curry helped to sell KD on the Warriors during the infamous summit in the Hamptons on Long Island in 2016.
Reported by: Marcus Thompson (subscription required)
Leonard, Durant discuss playing together
Team: Los Angeles Clippers or New York Knicks
Rumor: Leonard and Durant, the two players at the top of SN's free agent rankings, have reportedly been discussing scenarios that could include teaming up. The Clippers and Knicks are interested in signing both Leonard and Durant, and each team has the necessary cap flexibility to pull it off.
Reported by: Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne
Durant declines player option
Team: Golden State Warriors
Rumor: The Durant sweepstakes have officially begun. It's being reported that the 10-time All-Star has declined his $31.5 million player option for next season and is now officially an unrestricted free agent.
Reported by: Adrian Wojnarowski
Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant has declined his $31.5M player option and will become an unrestricted free agent, league sources tell ESPN. Durant and his business manager Rich Kleiman are in New York, evaluating free agency options. So far, process has stayed private.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2019
Durant met with Irving about signing with same team
Team: ???
Rumor: Durant reportedly spoke to Irving multiple times about teaming up, once in the Bay Area and again in New York after Durant had surgery to repair his ruptured Achilles tendon. They could have spoken about joining the Knicks, but considering Irving's ties to the Nets, the most likely potential destination is Brooklyn.
Reported by: Ric Bucher
Warriors considering delayed sign-and-trade option?
Team: Golden State Warriors
Rumor: While the Warriors have always been considered a player in retaining Durant's services, a new option is being considered in the wake of his injury. It's been reported that Golden State could offer Durant a five-year max contract, allowing him to rehab all of next season in the Bay Area, and then work with him to trade him to another team.
Reported by: Brian Windhorst
David Fizdale reveals his pitch to upcoming free agents
Team: New York Knicks
Rumor: The Knicks have long been considered the frontrunners to land Durant since the start of the 2018-19 season. New York has cap space to sign two max players, and up until a few weeks ago, the thought was Durant and Kyrie Irving would take their talents to the Big Apple.
However, with reports that Irving's interested in signing with Brooklyn, it seems that possibility is less likely.
Nets considered frontrunner to land Durant
Team: Brooklyn Nets
Rumor: As mentioned earlier, the Nets are reportedly the favorites to sign Irving, and it's been rumored Durant might join him. Brooklyn recently traded Allen Crabbe's expiring contract to Atlanta in order to clear cap space to sign two max players.
Reported by: Brian Windhorst
Clippers chasing Kawhi Leonard-Kevin Durant dream scenario
Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Rumor: The Clippers have been discussed as big players for one free agent this summer, and it isn't Durant. Kawhi Leonard is the top target for LA, and it's been long thought that Leonard would wind up a Clipper come summer's end.
But if recent reports are any indication, it seems Leonard may be considering staying north of the border in Toronto. The Clippers then might shift their sights onto Durant so as to not walk away empty handed.