Report: Kevin Durant leaning toward Lakers if he leaves Thunder
Kevin Durant has gone on the record as saying he would like to spend his entire career with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but is there a chance he could replace one of the greatest players of all time if he decides to leave?
On ESPN’s “First Take” Tuesday morning, Stephen A. Smith said that sources have told him Durant’s preferred landing spot is the Los Angeles Lakers if he does not re-sign with the Thunder next summer.
“Regardless of how senseless it may (sound), in one breath I’m hearing that if Kevin Durant doesn’t stay in Oklahoma City, L.A. is his primary objective and landing spot as opposed to South Beach or even his home of Washington, D.C.,” Smith said.
That wasn’t the only seemingly far-fetched theory that Smith tossed out. He also said he has heard rumblings about Durant possibly teaming up with Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant with the New York Knicks. Smith thinks Phil Jackson may have been hinting at that when he recently said Kobe could play for a team other than the Lakers.
“I heard Melo, Kevin Durant, Kobe,” Smith added. “And when you take into account that Phil Jackson is on the record saying it might be Kobe’s last year in L.A. — opening the door that there are possibilities for him to go elsewhere. All I’m saying is you just never know.”
The most likely scenario is that Durant stays in Oklahoma City. But if he did sign with the Lakers, we highly doubt it would be to team up with Bryant. That would be a more realistic option if Kobe ends up retiring.
As for the Knicks, the thought of Kobe, Durant and Anthony sharing a court seems nearly impossible. Are there even enough shots to go around?
The Durant speculation is only going to get more insane as we get through the upcoming season, and we have already heard one superstar openly admit he plans to recruit the Thunder forward. Most executives expect expect Durant to ultimately stay in Oklahoma City. While that is no lock, the ideas Stephen A. threw around just don’t seem reasonable at this point.
