[joe2324Participant]

 If Durant leaves OKC, do you think the Thunder will be what the Blazers are this year when they lost Lamarcus Aldbridge? This is all contigent upon Westbrook staying of course. 

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

What made the Blazers so successful this year was the emergence of CJ Mcollum playing robin to Lillards batman. I don’t really see a guy like that on the thunder roster. Although I do think Kanter could possibly be big time if he ever learned how to play D. 

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

What made the Blazers so successful this year was the emergence of CJ Mcollum playing robin to Lillards batman. I don’t really see a guy like that on the thunder roster. Although I do think Kanter could possibly be big time if he ever learned how to play D. 

[StraightOuttaMyMineParticipant]

 Ibarka the most Overrated player in nba!!!!

[StraightOuttaMyMineParticipant]

 Ibarka the most Overrated player in nba!!!!

[ph90702]

If Durant leaves OKC, maybe he will go to a team that knows how to run an offense.

[ph90702]

If Durant leaves OKC, maybe he will go to a team that knows how to run an offense.

[canadabasketballisrisingParticipant]

 I don’t see how Durant doent go to golden state if he really wants to "win"

(carmelo said this as he stayed in New York). 

If he forces the issue and signs there, they could keep Curry, Thompson, and Green, and only have to lose Barnes, and one of the bigs salaries, though it gets very tight after that. 

 

 

 

[ph90702]

I don’t know if that would make Golden State a better team.  Having too many scorers is a bad thing.  You need some guys who can play without the ball.

[negguaryParticipant]

all three of them could play without the ball….KD, CURRY AND THOMPSON are pure shooters!  Draymond probably needs the ball in his hands the most and that’s still not true but even if it is he’s highly effective with the ball in his hands he gets people involved. Still think kd going there is bad for the game though 

[negguaryParticipant]

all three of them could play without the ball….KD, CURRY AND THOMPSON are pure shooters!  Draymond probably needs the ball in his hands the most and that’s still not true but even if it is he’s highly effective with the ball in his hands he gets people involved. Still think kd going there is bad for the game though 

[ph90702]

I don’t know if that would make Golden State a better team.  Having too many scorers is a bad thing.  You need some guys who can play without the ball.

[Reptilian MonkParticipant]

 David Stern would pop out of the trees to veto and prevent this. Competitive Imbalance 

[Reptilian MonkParticipant]

 David Stern would pop out of the trees to veto and prevent this. Competitive Imbalance 

[canadabasketballisrisingParticipant]

 I don’t see how Durant doent go to golden state if he really wants to "win"

(carmelo said this as he stayed in New York). 

If he forces the issue and signs there, they could keep Curry, Thompson, and Green, and only have to lose Barnes, and one of the bigs salaries, though it gets very tight after that. 

 

 

 

[canadabasketballisrisingParticipant]

 but, if they lose Durant for nothing, i don’t see them being a playoff team (bubble team), but if they can get at least barnes, and some other peices then i do. 

 

 

[canadabasketballisrisingParticipant]

 but, if they lose Durant for nothing, i don’t see them being a playoff team (bubble team), but if they can get at least barnes, and some other peices then i do. 

 

 

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

 If he leaves OKC he will be going to San Antonio.  He knows it is his best chance for continued success and he is amazed by Popovich .

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

 If he leaves OKC he will be going to San Antonio.  He knows it is his best chance for continued success and he is amazed by Popovich .

[omphalosParticipant]

 Durant needs to go East if he wants to make the Finals. Lebron isn’t the roadblock he used to be and there really isn’t a second team that could challenge Durant on say – the Wizards.

Wizards still make the most sense to me – you get one of the best playmakers in the NBA alongside Durant in Wall, a perfect third/second option in Beal, a young SF in Porter who is a solid role player and gives versatility with lineups.

Durant doesn’t need to play in a pace and space team, he could do really well with Wall in a two-man game with shooters or just running off screens and such.

I know KD allegedly doesn’t want to play in his hometown, but is there any other team (outside Golden State, which I think he has too much pride for) which can offer the same fit and young talent? These guys can really play in the post-season, the just struggle in the regular season and Durant would fix that.

 

 

 

 

[DolanCareParticipant]

 

I don’t think GSW is a serious option unless he’s willing to take a massive paycut AND GSW is willing to mess with their historic chemistry. 

 I also don’t like the Wizards as a destination, assuming a championship is a number one priority. Can Wall play off-ball? His middling jump shot and a history of being thrusted into a role of ball-dominance makes it difficult to answer yes to this question. And once that happens, the same issues Durant had with Westbrook will reappear. 

The Spurs are the best bet for a championship. I know Aldridge doesn’t want to play big minutes at 5, but a Leonard, Durant, Alridge frontcourt would be impossible to defend. 

But if that dream scenario doesn’t work out, there are some dark horse contenders that I think Durant should consider. Teams that have good fit and good pieces that will help carry the team to the Finals………

Portland. Great shooting, high in character, great bench, loads of cap space. Not a great defensive team, but they have the cap space to lure a defensive talent. 

Houston. This is the one that will get me negged. Bring it. Harden’s ego has exploded since he left OKC, but he has a personal relationship with KD that should keep him in check and keep Durant involved in the offense. Houston desperately needs a stretch 4- this is a best in the game. Losing Dwight would hurt this hypothetical roster but Capela would thrive in a role of defneder and rebounder- which is all that is needed. 

Boston. They need a rim protector. Other than that, they are deep and have the potential to be an elite defensive team, even with Isiah Thomas on the floor- a testament to the abilities of Bradley, Crowder and Smart. 

Atlanta. He’d be playing big minutes at SF, similar to OKC, which may be best for him. This team has an amazing offensive minded coach and would utilize Durant to the fullest. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DolanCareParticipant]

 

I don’t think GSW is a serious option unless he’s willing to take a massive paycut AND GSW is willing to mess with their historic chemistry. 

 I also don’t like the Wizards as a destination, assuming a championship is a number one priority. Can Wall play off-ball? His middling jump shot and a history of being thrusted into a role of ball-dominance makes it difficult to answer yes to this question. And once that happens, the same issues Durant had with Westbrook will reappear. 

The Spurs are the best bet for a championship. I know Aldridge doesn’t want to play big minutes at 5, but a Leonard, Durant, Alridge frontcourt would be impossible to defend. 

But if that dream scenario doesn’t work out, there are some dark horse contenders that I think Durant should consider. Teams that have good fit and good pieces that will help carry the team to the Finals………

Portland. Great shooting, high in character, great bench, loads of cap space. Not a great defensive team, but they have the cap space to lure a defensive talent. 

Houston. This is the one that will get me negged. Bring it. Harden’s ego has exploded since he left OKC, but he has a personal relationship with KD that should keep him in check and keep Durant involved in the offense. Houston desperately needs a stretch 4- this is a best in the game. Losing Dwight would hurt this hypothetical roster but Capela would thrive in a role of defneder and rebounder- which is all that is needed. 

Boston. They need a rim protector. Other than that, they are deep and have the potential to be an elite defensive team, even with Isiah Thomas on the floor- a testament to the abilities of Bradley, Crowder and Smart. 

Atlanta. He’d be playing big minutes at SF, similar to OKC, which may be best for him. This team has an amazing offensive minded coach and would utilize Durant to the fullest. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[omphalosParticipant]

 Durant needs to go East if he wants to make the Finals. Lebron isn’t the roadblock he used to be and there really isn’t a second team that could challenge Durant on say – the Wizards.

Wizards still make the most sense to me – you get one of the best playmakers in the NBA alongside Durant in Wall, a perfect third/second option in Beal, a young SF in Porter who is a solid role player and gives versatility with lineups.

Durant doesn’t need to play in a pace and space team, he could do really well with Wall in a two-man game with shooters or just running off screens and such.

I know KD allegedly doesn’t want to play in his hometown, but is there any other team (outside Golden State, which I think he has too much pride for) which can offer the same fit and young talent? These guys can really play in the post-season, the just struggle in the regular season and Durant would fix that.

 

 

 

 

[MopgrassParticipant]

 I don’t care if he goes to the Blazers, Wizards, Celtics, whoever. I just don’t want him to go to a team that is already THE top team. I like to see some distribution of talent. The Warriors and Spurs shouldn’t be the only teams people want to play for. That isn’t competition. It’s like 5 kids, 300 pounds of muscle each all join the same wrestling team and all the 150 pound kids are on all the other teams. What about that is competition? It’s not even fun at that point. It makes that ring worth a little less. 

If you were really confident in your skills, you’d go to a team that’s greatly improving and one great player away from being a championship level team. Durant should figure out what team that is and join them. Create a new current superpower, don’t just pile on someone else’s. 

[MopgrassParticipant]

 I don’t care if he goes to the Blazers, Wizards, Celtics, whoever. I just don’t want him to go to a team that is already THE top team. I like to see some distribution of talent. The Warriors and Spurs shouldn’t be the only teams people want to play for. That isn’t competition. It’s like 5 kids, 300 pounds of muscle each all join the same wrestling team and all the 150 pound kids are on all the other teams. What about that is competition? It’s not even fun at that point. It makes that ring worth a little less. 

If you were really confident in your skills, you’d go to a team that’s greatly improving and one great player away from being a championship level team. Durant should figure out what team that is and join them. Create a new current superpower, don’t just pile on someone else’s. 

[SubZeroParticipant]

If he leaves, I’d like to see him go to either the Celtics or the Wizards. I love that Celtics team and I love Brad Stevens, and John Wall is my favorite player so it hurts me to see what he has to play with sometimes

[Hype Machine]

 I don’t get everyones love affair with the Celtics?

They had winning record that was artificially inflated by being in easily the worst division in the NBA. Then, predictably they were first round fodder again.

They have a lot of nice role players, but even if they get the 3rd, 4th or 5th pick they arent going to make any huge jumps.

 

Avery Bradley, Jared Sullinger, Marcus Smart, IT4 etc…how high is their ceiling realistically? To me theyre a scrappy 1st round team devoid of a superstar. And Free Agents arent coming folks.

 

They could get the #1 pick and they’re in business. However odds are that they don’t and just make up the numbers next year.

I dont hate the Celtics, but if you put any .500 team in that division and theyd get 48 wins too.

So lets call a spade a spade. The Celtics are .500 level team relying on lottery luck to become (maybe) a second round team in 3 years. 

 

 

 

[SubZeroParticipant]

That’s not my prediction, that’s just one place I’d like to see him go if he leaves. Brad Stevens is a great coach, and KD would instantly make them a title contender

[SubZeroParticipant]

That’s not my prediction, that’s just one place I’d like to see him go if he leaves. Brad Stevens is a great coach, and KD would instantly make them a title contender

[Hype Machine]

 I don’t get everyones love affair with the Celtics?

They had winning record that was artificially inflated by being in easily the worst division in the NBA. Then, predictably they were first round fodder again.

They have a lot of nice role players, but even if they get the 3rd, 4th or 5th pick they arent going to make any huge jumps.

 

Avery Bradley, Jared Sullinger, Marcus Smart, IT4 etc…how high is their ceiling realistically? To me theyre a scrappy 1st round team devoid of a superstar. And Free Agents arent coming folks.

 

They could get the #1 pick and they’re in business. However odds are that they don’t and just make up the numbers next year.

I dont hate the Celtics, but if you put any .500 team in that division and theyd get 48 wins too.

So lets call a spade a spade. The Celtics are .500 level team relying on lottery luck to become (maybe) a second round team in 3 years. 

 

 

 

[SubZeroParticipant]

If he leaves, I’d like to see him go to either the Celtics or the Wizards. I love that Celtics team and I love Brad Stevens, and John Wall is my favorite player so it hurts me to see what he has to play with sometimes

[Toronto16Participant]

If he goes east, Toronto makes a lot of sense too.

[Toronto16Participant]

If he goes east, Toronto makes a lot of sense too.

[XavierAllTheWayParticipant]

 You are crazy hype machine.  Celtics would have beaten Hawks to advance to second round this year had Avery Bradley and olynk been able to play.  If Celtics can get whiteside and durant, they would be favorite in east

[XavierAllTheWayParticipant]

 You are crazy hype machine.  Celtics would have beaten Hawks to advance to second round this year had Avery Bradley and olynk been able to play.  If Celtics can get whiteside and durant, they would be favorite in east

[MatosParticipant]

 Seriously guys – stop with the Durant to the Warriors scenarios. Ain’t gonna happen. A player of Durant’s caliber has a legacy to uphold and joining what is already the best team in the league will not help his value. He’s already a top 5 player. That team already won 73 games. They’re one of the favs to win the championship this year, which would be two years in a row. Durant would rather go home to DC, or to a bubble contender, or to join forces with another star to turn a poorly playing big city into a contender.

 Right now I say if the Thunder dont win more than 1 game this series, he’s either leaving or they’re going after Blake Griffin. If he ends up leaving, the options should be Lakers, Wizards, maybe a few others (not sure if the Clippers can clear enough room or trade some players for room). Only way Lakers happens is if another star signs there and they also trade for a third disgruntled star. Wizards will make some adjustments for Durant too if he decides to go home.

[MatosParticipant]

 Seriously guys – stop with the Durant to the Warriors scenarios. Ain’t gonna happen. A player of Durant’s caliber has a legacy to uphold and joining what is already the best team in the league will not help his value. He’s already a top 5 player. That team already won 73 games. They’re one of the favs to win the championship this year, which would be two years in a row. Durant would rather go home to DC, or to a bubble contender, or to join forces with another star to turn a poorly playing big city into a contender.

 Right now I say if the Thunder dont win more than 1 game this series, he’s either leaving or they’re going after Blake Griffin. If he ends up leaving, the options should be Lakers, Wizards, maybe a few others (not sure if the Clippers can clear enough room or trade some players for room). Only way Lakers happens is if another star signs there and they also trade for a third disgruntled star. Wizards will make some adjustments for Durant too if he decides to go home.

[Tdvols123Participant]

 He needs to head East to where only Lebron is in his way and I think Boston is a good spot for him. 

[Tdvols123Participant]

 He needs to head East to where only Lebron is in his way and I think Boston is a good spot for him. 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Historic chemistry?

Jordan and Pippen had historic chemistry, but they needed more and added Dennis Rodman.

I think pretty much ANYONE can fit in with Steph, Klay, and Draymond.  Those three are the equivalent of FDR, Churchill, and Stalin.  It doesn’t MATTER who the fourth guy is, they are gonna take over the world one way or the other.

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Historic chemistry?

Jordan and Pippen had historic chemistry, but they needed more and added Dennis Rodman.

I think pretty much ANYONE can fit in with Steph, Klay, and Draymond.  Those three are the equivalent of FDR, Churchill, and Stalin.  It doesn’t MATTER who the fourth guy is, they are gonna take over the world one way or the other.

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 I personally think KD takes the best deal with Thunder and just asks for a couple of player options across his deal. The Thunder will give him virtually anything to stay.

He only turns 28 this year and lots of top players didn’t win their first title until about that age. If he did move you have to realistically think it would be to a proven competitive team so that rules out a fair few. I don’t see GSW option either.

Boston is an interesting one especially if they get an attractive draft pick in. They won 48 games this season, add KD in and you are looking at a 55-60 odd win team which would be very near the top out East. Portland could be a wildcard too.

 

 

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 I personally think KD takes the best deal with Thunder and just asks for a couple of player options across his deal. The Thunder will give him virtually anything to stay.

He only turns 28 this year and lots of top players didn’t win their first title until about that age. If he did move you have to realistically think it would be to a proven competitive team so that rules out a fair few. I don’t see GSW option either.

Boston is an interesting one especially if they get an attractive draft pick in. They won 48 games this season, add KD in and you are looking at a 55-60 odd win team which would be very near the top out East. Portland could be a wildcard too.

 

 

 

 

[Ahkasi ClayParticipant]

 Would love to see him with the Clippers

 

 

[Ahkasi ClayParticipant]

 Would love to see him with the Clippers

 

 

[HazelParticipant]

Timberwolves, Jazz, and Milwuakee.

All three are in need of a knock down shooter and leadership.  All three have a talented young core who would fit better around Durant than OKC.  All three would give him the place where he could be the man for 3-4 years and then be the Duncan to their team for another 6 yrs. None on these teams needs more significant pieces to be contenders with him in 1-3 years. 

 

Jazz have the best fit IMO because they are closer today, have great defensive players and some nice second tier scorers, but need a primier scorer.  Also, Durant would fit into the switching defensive scheme seamlessly.  

The biggest problem in OKC is defense.  They can’t guard anybody.  That is why they lose leads in the 4th so often. Whatever team Durant is on will  be pretty good on offense, and he would fit best in a passing system that finds him organically like Warriors, Spurs, and the Jazz are trying to develop. He’d score 25 in his sleep, have the arguably the best defensive center, and PG in the league and a whole team looking to get him the ball.  

He’d give them a lot and he’d get the credit for that.  

If I am Durant, I am going to continue to be my own man and choose the place I play based on basketball and where I can take a team to the next level.  That will be a legacy people will talk about for a long time.  

I do like the Washington fit as described above, but taking one of these no-name teams with such moldable players feels like a lot more exciting if I am him…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 I wish Durant came to the Jazz…

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 I wish Durant came to the Jazz…

[HazelParticipant]

Timberwolves, Jazz, and Milwuakee.

All three are in need of a knock down shooter and leadership.  All three have a talented young core who would fit better around Durant than OKC.  All three would give him the place where he could be the man for 3-4 years and then be the Duncan to their team for another 6 yrs. None on these teams needs more significant pieces to be contenders with him in 1-3 years. 

 

Jazz have the best fit IMO because they are closer today, have great defensive players and some nice second tier scorers, but need a primier scorer.  Also, Durant would fit into the switching defensive scheme seamlessly.  

The biggest problem in OKC is defense.  They can’t guard anybody.  That is why they lose leads in the 4th so often. Whatever team Durant is on will  be pretty good on offense, and he would fit best in a passing system that finds him organically like Warriors, Spurs, and the Jazz are trying to develop. He’d score 25 in his sleep, have the arguably the best defensive center, and PG in the league and a whole team looking to get him the ball.  

He’d give them a lot and he’d get the credit for that.  

If I am Durant, I am going to continue to be my own man and choose the place I play based on basketball and where I can take a team to the next level.  That will be a legacy people will talk about for a long time.  

I do like the Washington fit as described above, but taking one of these no-name teams with such moldable players feels like a lot more exciting if I am him…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

[lalailaParticipant]

 I am surprised nobody mentioned Heat. It’s great fit, plus I almost guarantee Riley will make run for him.

He would be championship contender right away and clearly the man out here even, because there are many really really good players but not big stars anymore (yes Wade played like 5years ago, but cmon he will be 35 next season)

 

 

[lalailaParticipant]

 I am surprised nobody mentioned Heat. It’s great fit, plus I almost guarantee Riley will make run for him.

He would be championship contender right away and clearly the man out here even, because there are many really really good players but not big stars anymore (yes Wade played like 5years ago, but cmon he will be 35 next season)

 

 

[Author]

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