With the Oklahoma City Thunder now eliminated from the playoffs, the focus shifts to Kevin Durant’s impending free agency. The small forward will be in the crosshairs of nearly every team in the NBA, by far the best free agent who seems somewhat attainable this summer.
Durant understands the process and knows full well he will have plenty of suitors in free agency. He spoke about his thought process during Thunder exit interviews on Wednesday, and most notably mentioned that he would have to be “selfish a bit” as he makes the decision that’s best for him.
Following transcribed by Pro Basketball Talk:
It’s kind of hard to talk to one of my teammates. Obviously, we’ve been through a lot. We know each other very, very well. But it’s one of these things where I just, I’ve just got to hear from me and hear what I want and talk to myself on what I need and how I can make this thing work for myself and just try to be selfish a bit.
Obviously, I want to ask for advice. But also, I want to make the decision that’s best for me. I’m sure at some point, me and Russell will sit down and talk.
But he’s put no pressure on me. He’s been just great in this whole thing and just being my friend, and I think that’s one thing I needed throughout the whole year, throughout this whole process, is just people to be my friend and worry about me as a person
Notably, Durant speaks about Russell Westbrook, his longtime teammate and partner in crime in OKC. If KD does indeed decide to leave the Thunder, the decision will be made immensely more difficult by the friendship he has with Westbrook.
Ultimately, I do not expect Kevin Durant to leave OKC this summer, and many expect him to sign a two year deal with a player option for the second year. That would make theoretically make Durant and Westbrook both free agents next summer when they could fully decide on their futures, either separately or together.
For now, Durant will think hard about every team attempting to recruit him, but he may not have to be too selfish just yet.
