NBA free agency: Los Angeles Clippers to pitch Big Four to Kevin Durant

By John Buhler | Jun 30, 2016

May 11, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) is defended by Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in game four of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Thunder 101-99 to tie the series 2-2.Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The Los Angeles Clippers are going to pitch the idea of a Big Four to Kevin Durant in free agency to join Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan.

According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, The Los Angeles Clippers plan to pitch the idea of a Big Four to soon-to-be free agent Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder in their meeting on Friday in the Hamptons.

Head coach/president of basketball operations Doc Rivers and owner Steve Ballmer are going to lead the meeting with Durant on Friday. Potentially, the three star players on the Clippers in point guard Chris Paul, power forward Blake Griffin, and center DeAndre Jordan might join Rivers and Ballmer about forming a Big Four with the Clippers in 2016-17 and possibly again in 2017-18 if Durant does end up signing a one-year deal with a player option for next season this summer.

Though the Clippers feel like a bit of a long shot to land Durant in 2016 NBA free agency, with the Thunder, the Golden State Warriors, and the Miami Heat as the presumed three finalists, Los Angeles’ pitch seems both tactful and appealing.

Yes, the Clippers will have to be creative in creating enough salary cap space to include a fourth All-NBA caliber player, probably trading J.J. Redick and letting both Jamal Crawford and Austin Rivers walk in 2016 NBA free agency, but the idea that the Clippers are going to throw a pitch at Durant that has an entry point both this summer and next has to have his attention.

Los Angeles already has a strong starting lineup and by adding Durant at the three, the Clippers would almost certainly be a realistic NBA Finals contender in his first season with the team should he sign there in 2016 NBA free agency. The pitch may not work, but it has to move the needle for Durant to potentially form a Big Four in Los Angeles with the Clippers in either of the next two seasons.

For more NBA free agency news, please check out our NBA free agency category page.

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