The New York Knicks are expecting to secure meetings with two of the biggest free agents on the market in Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard as soon as free agency starts, according to Frank Isola of The Athletic.
After them, the front office will likely head to Los Angeles to pursue what is believed to be the second-tier wave of available talent in this offseason bonanza.
Both Durant and Leonard have been part of the Knicks' thinking for the better part of last season, as the two were primed to opt out of the last year of their contract and become the most coveted players available.
As it sits, the Brooklyn Nets likely have the edge in luring Durant, as recent reports indicate their prowess in locking down a postseason spot has made the right impression on the perennial All-Star forward, who tore his Achilles only weeks ago.
Article Continues BelowDurant also went under the knife with a trusted Dr. Martin O'Malley, who also doubles as a team physician for the Nets. O'Malley operated on Durant while the then-Oklahoma City Thunder star suffered a Jones fracture in 2015.
As for Leonard, the race is likely between re-signing with the Toronto Raptors or coming back home to his native Los Angeles to ink a long-term deal with the LA Clippers, though hope remains for the Knicks.
Following these meetings with Durant and Leonard (which can only happen on June 30 after 6 p.m. ET), the Knicks will touch base with some other free agents, which would play as a contingency plan if New York can't lure one of the two stars or none at all.