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OKC bent on retaining Kevin Durant

Reuters/The Sports Xchange

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/news-special1/sports/7/1/durant-070116.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Kevin Durant. Photo from Reuters</div></figcaption></figure></div>Oklahoma City Thunder coach Billy Donovan is turning back the clock at 12:01 a.m. ET Friday when free agency opens as part of their pitch to retain superstar Kevin Durant.Donovan plans to be front and center when the Thunder host Atlanta Hawks All-Star power forward Al Horford, who could fill the starting spot created when the team traded Serge Ibaka to the Orlando Magic on draft night for guard Victor Oladipo.Horford played for Donovan at the University of Florida, where the Gators repeated as national champions.Horford averaged 15.2 points and 7.3 rebounds and played all 82 games for the Hawks last season. He spent his entire nine-year career with the Hawks.- -Free agent center Joakim Noah is reportedly eyeing a deal with the New York Knicks.The longtime Chicago Bulls standout might quickly reach a contract agreement Friday with the Knicks, both The Vertical and ESPN.com reported.Both websites reported that Noah will meet with Knicks president Phil Jackson shortly after the negotiating window opens. Other teams are interested in Noah, but they are viewed as unlikely to land his signature.A move to New York would reunite Noah with former NBA Most Valuable Player Derrick Rose, who was traded from the Bulls to the Knicks last week.- -Veteran point guard Jarrett Jack was released by the Brooklyn Nets.Jack was shopped via trade before the start of free agency but the Nets decided to release him rather than pay his $6 million salary for the 2016-17 season. The Nets are responsible for $500,000 of that deal.Jack turns 33 three days before the start of the regular season. He is recovering from a season-ending knee injury in January. (Editing by Larry Fine) ))(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website.</a>)

Oklahoma City Thunder coach Billy Donovan is turning back the clock at 12:01 a.m. ET Friday when free agency opens as part of their pitch to retain superstar Kevin Durant.