Kevin Durant has been making headlines for the wrong reasons for the second year in a row: due to injury. Unlike last year, however, his recent hamstring issue isn’t a serious issue and before NBA fans know it, he’ll be back to dominating on the hardwood, just like we’re used to seeing. And come next summer, he’ll be owning the NBA rumor mill for very different reasons.
That could mean a lot of things, but unless KD and the Oklahoma City Thunder agree to a new contract extension before the 2015-16 NBA season dries up, it could mean that Durant will be looking for someone else to call home in the near future. The Kevin Durant rumors won’t quiet from now until then, and they could even give way to trade rumors. However, with a healthy Durant, OKC knows they have a shot at an NBA title, while their fan base would probably never forgive them if they mailed it in and traded away such a big star.
More likely than not, KD will either be back with the Thunder on a long-term deal, but that’s not lock if he makes it to the summer as a free agent. Once there, the possibilities seem endless. But let’s keep it in a realistic scope and take look at the top three spots Durant would be most likely to land (outside of OKC) as a free agent:
Washington Wizards
John Wall has already said he’d lobby for KD to sign with the Wiz, while most of us are aware by now that Durant hails from D.C. A LeBron James-esque return home could make some sense, as does latching on with a team that appears built to one day rule the Eastern Conference. With Wall, Brad Beal and Marcin Gortat in place, the Wizards as constructed are a top 5 team in the conference. Adding Durant could put them neck and neck with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are surely saying good-bye to Kobe Bryant after this year. His contract dries up and the 37-year old shooting guard looks completely done. He’s said himself if something “doesn’t change soon, this is it”. With The Black Mamba out of the picture, the Lakers would be free to make a run at a prized free agent. Why not Durant? There has even been some serious speculation that Durant could join the Lakers, and even though the Thunder star seems to have shot that rumor down, we can’t help but wonder about it.
New York Knicks
Carmelo Anthony dropped some potential hints about KD joining the Knicks, and even if they’re not actual crumbs of truth, Melo could have some lobbying in mind come next summer. New York has gotten a lot better in just one year, as they added future superstar Kristaps Porzingis to the mix, drafted point guard Jerian Grant, signed center Robin Lopez and still have Melo to hang their hat on. How Durant would fix in with those pieces (perhaps Porzingis would move to center and Melo would slide in at the four) is yet to be determined, but all the buzz suggests KD to NYC isn’t a crazy notion.
These are just three potential landing spots for KD. Outside of the Thunder, there are still 26 other NBA teams that could POSSIBLY have a hand in his final decision. Think it’s one we’ve discussed or a team no one is considering at all? Let us know in the comments below!
