While it will no doubt do nothing to quiet the links to other teams, one report says that the likeliest Kevin Durant scenario this summer sees him staying right where he is.
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, a number of league insiders believe Durant’s “most probable choice” will be to stay in Oklahoma City, signing a two-year deal that would allow him to opt out after the first season.
There are a few reasons that this would make sense for Durant. First, staying in Oklahoma City an extra year would take him to ten years of NBA service, thus allowing him to command more money in free agency. Second, with the salary cap continuing to rise rapidly, Durant would get a bigger deal. Third, he would be able to coincide his free agency with that of Russell Westbrook’s, thus affording the two players one last go at a title together in Oklahoma City next season. All in all, according to Stein, Durant could earn an extra $50 million on a long-term contract in free agency if he elects to wait a year.
Stein notes, of course, that things can change, and far stranger things have happened, and there does remain a chance that Durant could go elsewhere. He will, at minimum, keep his options open.
Make no mistake, Durant will have plenty of suitors. One interested party has reportedly already heard from his representatives about what he’s looking for in a new team. However, between his comments after the Thunder were bounced and the realities of the financial situation, Thunder fans just might have reason to be optimistic.
