Now that we know Kevin Durant will be setting up meetings with teams this summer in free agency, including the Warriors, Spurs, and Knicks, every team with any possibility of landing themselves a meeting with the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar will try to do so. The Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics, and Miami Heat are also reported to be securing meetings with Durant.
Sam Amick of USA TODAY reports that two notable teams, the Lakers and Wizards, who aren’t expected to land a meeting with Durant.
Despite years of speculation about Durant possibly signing with his hometownWashington Wizards or the Los Angeles Lakers, a person with knowledge of his situation told USA TODAY Sports that those two teams are not expected to land a meeting with the former MVP. As it stands, it’s the six aforementioned teams coming Durant’s way at a location that has not yet been determined.
The Lakers have been constantly linked to Durant by unconfirmed reports. While there is a decent appeal with the current core of Laker talent and Luke Walton at the helm, the Lakers aren’t in a position to give Durant something better than what he has in Oklahoma City. Washington Wizards fans can be disappointed by this report after a long-standing campaign for Durant to consider returning to his hometown, although Durant hasn’t shown any sign of wanting to take that course, even since the Wizards signed ex-Thunder head coach Scott Brooks.
As grandiose as it may continue to sound, it’s been reported that Durant has a true interest in signing with the Warriors, hence the meeting that will officially take place. The Knicks and Spurs similarly present Durant with a chance to form a super team. New York’s trade for Derrick Rose makes the Knicks more than just Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis. Adding Durant to that mix makes the Knicks contenders in the East right away.
The Celtics and Heat should be able to compete for Durant’s attention with their rosters and pedigree. The Clippers, as Amick noted, would be expected to do a sign-and-trade for Durant with Blake Griffin. That doesn’t completely upgrade Durant’s current situation in Oklahoma City, either.
Trading Serge Ibaka for Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and Domantas Sabonis was clearly a final playing card by Thunder GM Sam Presti for Durant’s re-signing. Given his options, Durant has the power to create a massive shift in the league after July 1.
