[Bankroll PJParticipant]

Kevin Durant has many suitors this offseason such as the Miami Heat, Spurs, Warriors, Celtics, Knicks, and current Thunder team. I wanted to break down my thoughts on each situation starting with his current team, the Thunder

OKC: After getting up 3-1 vs the Warriors in the playoffs, I think it’s evident that this team did not lack the talent to be a true contender.  I think the loss of Ibaka will actually hurt the Thunder in the immediate future due to his size, defensive versality, and ability to shoot, but I think Sabonis, Oladipo, and the rise of Adams will suffice. KD’s decision will come down to whether he trusts Westbrook as a PG he can win a championship with. He would be taking a small gamble because Westbrook will be a free agent next year.

Miami: The pitch here is that Pat Riley can build a contender in South Beach for Durant just as he did with LeBron.  Miami, however comes with its risks as well. DWade is still playing at a high level, but age can creep up on anyone. Bosh’s immediate future remains in jeopardy due to his health conditions. The Heat would also probably have to let Hassan Whiteside and Joe Johnson and/or Luol Deng in order to bring in KD.  Would a core Wade, KD, and Bosh be able to unseat the Cavs/ It’s possible but it’s completely dependent on Bosh’s health which is a major unknown. 

San Antonio: Win now and worry about everything else later. The Spurs will probably have to get rid of a few role players, but if KD were to sign with the Spurs, I’m sure both Duncan and Ginobli would return for one more go round.  A core of KD, Kawhi, and Aldridge is more than enough to be a contender, but the Spurs would have to sacrifice some depth and rely on the aging legs of Duncan and Ginobli if they were to sign KD. 

Golden State: It’s well known that this team would be incredible if KD were to sign.  I’m sure no one would lose a tear to see Barnes go elsewhere after his finals performance.  The Warriors would probably have to get rid of Bogut as well, but it’d be worth it.  If KD’s made his decision based off of who gives him the best chance to win now and later, Golden State is the best option, but I’m sure he would receive some backlash from fans and may feel some cognitive dissonance about going to the team that just beat him 3 times in a row in route to the NBA finals. 

New York: This franchise is not to be taken seriously right now.  Rose, Melo, and Porzingas sounds nice, but this team and franchise as whole is still very far away from contending. For the sake of the league, please don’t go to the New York Knicks Kevin….

Boston: I saved the Celtics for last, because I think they would be the best option for Kevin Durant. They could bring KD in while sacrificing little to nothing and immediately become the 2nd best team in the East. Boston is a city rich in basketball tradition and Durant could be the star they’ve been seeking. I’m sure Danny Ainge would do whatever it takes to makes sure this team has a legit chance to unseat the Cavs. In addition this team is setup for the future as they still will have some cap room available if they signed KD as well as having a sure top 5 pick from the Nets next year.  I myself am a Lakers, so I couldn’t care less about the Celtics but I think they provide the best option for Kevin Durant’s present and future…Mamba out. 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 I hope Durant stays in OKC. He’s a top-3 player in the NBA. I don’t like the idea of top-3 players becoming mercenaries. 

I also think he’ll stay in OKC. He’ll sign one of those deals with an opt out and put this whole thing off until next summer when him and Westy can decide together if they want to keep going. 

If he were to leave, I guess I’d say outside of the obvious San Antonio, Boston would be the best option for him. 

He can be the alpha dog for the Spurs, playing for an elite coach alongside two elite players in Leonard and Aldridge, neither of whom needs the ball all the time. The Spurs system would do Durant wonders, as he would be a terror moving off the ball and would get wide-open shots for days. 

Also think Boston is a good fit given its the Eastern Conference where he basically gets to skate backwards to the ECF. Boston has a terrific young coach in Stevens and loads of assets to further bolster their team while he’s there. He could sign there, and Boston could continue to get better over the life of his deal – assuming he signed up long term. 

Ultimately I don’t think Durant is going anywhere though. He’ll stay at least one more year and we can get a whole nother year where all anyone cares about is impending free agency. 

 

 

 

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 I hope Durant stays in OKC. He’s a top-3 player in the NBA. I don’t like the idea of top-3 players becoming mercenaries. 

I also think he’ll stay in OKC. He’ll sign one of those deals with an opt out and put this whole thing off until next summer when him and Westy can decide together if they want to keep going. 

If he were to leave, I guess I’d say outside of the obvious San Antonio, Boston would be the best option for him. 

He can be the alpha dog for the Spurs, playing for an elite coach alongside two elite players in Leonard and Aldridge, neither of whom needs the ball all the time. The Spurs system would do Durant wonders, as he would be a terror moving off the ball and would get wide-open shots for days. 

Also think Boston is a good fit given its the Eastern Conference where he basically gets to skate backwards to the ECF. Boston has a terrific young coach in Stevens and loads of assets to further bolster their team while he’s there. He could sign there, and Boston could continue to get better over the life of his deal – assuming he signed up long term. 

Ultimately I don’t think Durant is going anywhere though. He’ll stay at least one more year and we can get a whole nother year where all anyone cares about is impending free agency. 

 

 

 

 

 

[I am an idiotParticipant]

The chances of anything else happening are practically non-existent. We’ll be having exactly this same conversation next year, only then it will be for real.

[I am an idiotParticipant]

The chances of anything else happening are practically non-existent. We’ll be having exactly this same conversation next year, only then it will be for real.

[D7H7NParticipant]

Yeah’ll he’ll resign with OKC for one year with the option to opt out the following year. He’ll probably go wherever Westbrook goes.

[D7H7NParticipant]

Yeah’ll he’ll resign with OKC for one year with the option to opt out the following year. He’ll probably go wherever Westbrook goes.

[Toronto16Participant]

I’m surprised Toronto didn’t get a meeting with him. Just made it to the conference finals, 2 all stars on the team. I guess there is still a negative connotation around the league to playing in Canada, as far as the American players are concerned anyway.

[Toronto16Participant]

I’m surprised Toronto didn’t get a meeting with him. Just made it to the conference finals, 2 all stars on the team. I guess there is still a negative connotation around the league to playing in Canada, as far as the American players are concerned anyway.

[r377Participant]

I would have more respect for Durant if he wins one championship for OKC than if he wins 3 championships with GS….

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Ppl said the same thing about LBJ going to Miami. You don’t hear it as much now though… 

I think it’d be the same with KD if he chooses GSW.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Ppl said the same thing about LBJ going to Miami. You don’t hear it as much now though… 

I think it’d be the same with KD if he chooses GSW.

[r377Participant]

I would have more respect for Durant if he wins one championship for OKC than if he wins 3 championships with GS….

[HitsterParticipant]

One idea that I don’t think has been mentioned is that KD takes a deal but has a player option in years 2 and 3 for whichever team he signs with, then he can have the option to move on if the team he is on isn’t contending.

[HitsterParticipant]

One idea that I don’t think has been mentioned is that KD takes a deal but has a player option in years 2 and 3 for whichever team he signs with, then he can have the option to move on if the team he is on isn’t contending.

[Author]

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