NBA News Roundup, Saturday, May 11th: Anthony Davis could still join the Celtics, DeMarcus Cousins set for return and more

The NBA playoffs are currently the talk of the basketball world, although there is no shortage of other stories emerging from around the league.

The 2019 draft is just weeks away, and teams will be hoping to strike gold by drafting either Zion Williamson or Ja Morant. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis continues to be linked with a blockbuster trade, and a host of stars including Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, and Kemba Walker are about to hit free agency.

So, with plenty going on around the NBA, here are the biggest news stories and rumors you need to know for May 11th.

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Anthony Davis could join an Irving-less Celtics

Anthony Davis is expected to leave the New Orleans Pelicans

With Kyrie Irving looking increasingly unlikely to remain in Boston this summer, some have questioned whether Anthony Davis would be interested in a move to the Celtics. However, when assessing Boston's offseason plans, The Athletic's David Aldridge says that Davis could still be interested in joining Brad Stevens's team:

I've heard that Davis wouldn't completely rule out staying with the Celtics without Irving, but the odds of him re-upping in that scenario are significantly lower.

Davis requested a trade back in January, although the Pelicans refused to deal their franchise player to the Los Angeles Lakers.

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Kevin Durant could remain with Golden State this summer

Kevin Durant is looking to win a third straight title

Ever since Kevin Durant was involved in an early season on-court bust-up with Draymond Green, most experts around the NBA have stated that Durant's departure this summer is an inevitability. But, Sam Amick of The Athletic believes that Golden State still have a decent shot at retaining their All-Star:

There’s a recent sense in Warriors circles that maybe he’ll think twice about joining them on this trek across the Bay Bridge, that this recent stretch of domination and fan appreciation might be the kind of thing that convinces him to – cue LeBron James’ personal motto that hasn’t exactly panned out in Laker Land.

The New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers have been backed to make big pushes to sign the 2014 MVP this summer.

Warriors advance to the Western Conference Finals

The Golden State Warriors defeated the Houston Rockets to advance to the Western Conference Finals

Despite the absence of Kevin Durant and DeMarcus Cousins, the Golden State Warriors last night secured a series-clinching 118-113 Game 6 win over the Houston Rockets.

Golden State's road win clinched yet another Western Conference Finals appearance for the two-time defending champions, while the Rockets were eliminated by the Warriors for the fourth time in five years.

Despite excellent performances from Chris Paul and James Harden, Steph Curry scored 33 points in the second half to end the Rockets' title hopes for another season. Curry had failed to score a single basket in the first half, although the two-time MVP recovered, and showed exactly why he is regarded as the best shooter in NBA history.

The Warriors will now face the winner of the Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets series.

DeMarcus Cousins is on course to return this season

DeMarcus Cousins is on course for a shock return in the NBA Finals

DeMarcus Cousins tore his left quad during the Golden State Warriors' first-round series against the LA Clippers, and it was widely believed that he would miss the remainder of the postseason.

However, head coach Steve Kerr earlier this week spoke about the possibility that his All-Star center could still return, and Marc Stein of the New York Times is reporting that Cousins should return for the NBA Finals:

Another reward for the victorious Warriors: League sources say that DeMarcus Cousins -- if he maintains his recent progress from a torn quad -- is on course to make a return to the Warriors' active roster during the Western Conference finals

While Cousins will miss the Western Finals, Kevin Durant is expected to return following his right calf strain.