Report: Kevin Durant Planned Vacation with Kyrie Irving Before Achilles Injury

Prior to suffering an Achilles injury in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Warriors star Kevin Durant planned vacation with Celtics star Kyrie Irving. The information was confirmed by Frank Isola of The Athletic.

According to Isola, the main purpose of this vacation was “to spend quality time together and map out their respective futures.”

Durant may opt out of his contract with the Warriors and hit free agency in July. Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic reported that Irving will also opt out of his deal and become free agent.

Isola also reported that the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets are in play for Durant despite his ruptured Achilles. The New York Times’ Marc Stein also reported that the Nets consider themselves “frontrunners” to sign the Celtics point guard.

The New York Post’s Brian Lewis has a different theory.

“The Post has confirmed Brooklyn might have qualms about signing the enigmatic Irving if he isn’t bringing the injured [Kevin] Durant with him.

“Other teams had already backed off of pursuing Irving with similar concerns over the way things went awry in Boston. If the Nets do the same, it would mean keeping [D’Angelo] Russell, who is a younger and cheaper option as a restricted free agent.”

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith reported on First Take that Knicks owner James Dolan will give Durant and Irving a blank check to sign with his team.

“But from everything that I’ve been hearing over the last few days, Kyrie Irving is heading to New York City. Kyrie Irving is headed to Madison Square Garden with Kevin Durant. People in his inner circle are trying to bring the Nets into the mix, but clearly, New York is the destination. The likelihood is that it will be MSG and obviously, Max [Kellerman], and I will admit, I’m saying this for your entertainment, Max Kellerman, because I know it’s going to get you going after I say this. I am told that James Dolan himself has basically said: ‘Whatever the hell you want. I will move the hell out of the way. I will give you whatever you want. It doesn’t matter. I’ll take care of you,’ to the Kyries and the Kevin Durants of the world.”