Clippers news: L.A. favorites to land Kawhi Leonard, 2nd to land Kevin Durant

Kawhi Leonard or Kevin Durant could play for the Los Angeles Clippers next season. On May 2, ClutchPoints senior editor Ryan Ward tweeted about this story.

Kawhi Leonard or Kevin Durant could end up playing for the Los Angeles Clippers next season.

On May 2, ClutchPoints senior editor and writer Ryan Ward tweeted the Clippers have the third-highest odds of signing Durant. They trail only the Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks. The Clippers' crosstown rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, are in fourth.

Sign of the times for the #Lakers when both the #Knicks and the #Clippers have better odds to sign Kevin Durant.
(Via @bookmaker_eu) pic.twitter.com/De0puHKBJJ

— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) May 2, 2019

The Knicks, Clippers, and Lakers also have a solid chance of landing Kawhi Leonard, per Ward. Only the Toronto Raptors, Leonard's current team, stand in their way.

Same goes for Kawhi Leonard. #Clippers and #Knicks also ahead of the #Lakers in the odds to land Kawhi Leonard.
(Via @bookmaker_eu) pic.twitter.com/UF2cgn7hqz

— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) May 2, 2019

Kevin Durant has a player option worth $31.5 million for the 2019-20 NBA season. Should he exercise this option, he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Members of the New York media have been vocal in expressing interest in Durant. The Knicks have also been linked to Boston Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving, a New Jersey native.

The Clippers could use somebody like Durant. They finished with a 48-34 (.585) win-loss record and secured the eighth playoff spot in the Western Conference. Unfortunately, Durant and the Warriors beat them in six games. Durant averaged a gaudy 35.0 points in the series.

https://twitter.com/theusapost21/status/1121203759374376960

Kawhi Leonard, who has a player option worth $21.3 million for 2019-20, is another attractive option for Steve Ballmer's team. Both he and Durant represent an upgrade over starting small forward Danilo Gallinari. It's been a while since the Clippers have had a high-caliber player at the 3 spot. The most notable names are Lamar Odom and Corey Maggette.

The Clippers can't go wrong with either Durant or Leonard. Los Angeles is a big market. The Clippers also have a good foundation with Gallinari, Lou Williams, Montrezl Harrell, and Ivica Zubac around. If they can add a big-name free agent next season, they will make major strides.