Report: Several teammates, league sources expect Durant to join Knicks

With free agency nearing, rumors of Kevin Durant's departure are heating up, with a strong consensus reportedly forming within NBA circles.

Several former and current teammates believe the 2014 NBA MVP will leave the Golden State Warriors to join the New York Knicks this summer, sources told ESPN's Ian Begley.

"Just a matter of putting pen to paper," an opposing agent reportedly added to Begley.

Despite being favored to win his third consecutive NBA championship, rumblings of Durant's interest in leaving the Warriors has been the talk of the season.

The reports caused a locker room rift between Durant and Draymond Green early in the season, as the former Defensive Player of the Year dared his superstar teammate to leave and suggested Golden State didn't need him to win.

Durant has been frustrated with the off-court attention all year, demanding that media members don't ask him about his future decisions and that they focus on his play instead. He famously ignored his media obligations for a short span of time after the Knicks dealt away franchise big man Kristaps Porzinigis to essentially clear cap space for the summer, prompting more Durant-to-New York questions.

Boston Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving - who will also be a free agent in the offseason - has often been mentioned as a potential partner for Durant in New York. The 27-year-old has expressed his own annoyance with the rumors of him potentially leaving Beantown for the Big Apple.

Durant's Warriors are currently up 3-2 over the Los Angeles Clippers in Round 1 of the playoffs and can clinch a meeting with the Houston Rockets with a win on Friday.

The 30-year-old is averaging 32 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists through the first five games of the series.