Roll of Thunder, hear Oklahoma City’s cry. After coming within a few possessions of upsetting the 73-win fraud Warriors in the Western Conference Finals (and in the process becoming the first team to definitively prove that the Dubs could, in fact, bleed real blood just like the rest of us), the Thunder are at a delicate crossroads this summer. While it’s not quite as treacherous as the crossroads where Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil, Oklahoma City is faced with the reality that the biggest superstar in the history of their franchise could leave the team for nothing in a matter of days now. That’s a bit of a doomsday scenario with regard to former MVP Kevin Durant and his unrestricted free agency this offseason. But it at least begs the question: Would Durant actually consider leaving the sunny shores of the Chesapeake Energy Arena? Could the “Durexit” be upon Oklahoma City?
Let’s take a look at the possible free agent destinations in play for the Slim Reaper when he officially becomes an eligible bachelor on July 1.
This one might not just be Bill Simmons’ wet dream. If Durant is serious about peacing out of the diabolical bloodbath that is the Western Conference, he at least has to give the Celtics a look. They have the best up-and-coming head coach in the league today in The Honorable Brad Stevens as well as a phenomenal cast of complementary depth that might be able to take the next step feeding off of a generational life force like Durant. The Defensive Death Squad trio of Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart, and Jae Crowder would also mean that Durant would never be burdened with locking down the other team’s top perimeter threat, leaving him with a maximum amount of energy to expend on the offensive end.
Should he wind up leaving the Thunder, a max deal for Durant would be in the range of four years, $114 million (per ESPN). That’s something Boston is well-positioned to offer thanks to the pillaging and plundering of general manager Danny Ainge in cap space maneuvers, and the acquisition of cheap, controllable talent over the last several years (even despite Ainge pulling his best impression of Jar Jar Binks on Draft Night 2016). Boston’s candidacy is dampened, however, by Durant’s lack of outstanding ties to the area or to any members of the C’s organization (though Isaiah Thomas seems to be trying hard to forge that connection). But the Celtics still bring enough to the table that they should at least pique Durant’s interest.
Odds: 30/1
Durant and former head coach Scott Brooks locking arms and skipping merrily down the Yellow Brick Road singing “We’re off to see the Wizards!” seems like a longshot right now.
Durant, who is a hometown kid having grown up in the Washington DC area, was no doubt on the Wizards’ minds when they hired Brooks as their head coach last April. But if Durant truly valued having Brooks as his coach as much as anything, wouldn’t Brooks still be coaching the Thunder?
Either way, the Wizards are still a few years away from serious contention despite a fine young backcourt duo of John Wall and Bradley Beal to build around. And Durant doesn’t appear to be interested in that type of situation at the moment. Simply put, Durant is 27 years old, at or near the apex of his physical powers, and is still looking for his first NBA championship. He has insisted that he will be making “a basketball decision” when choosing his free agent destination, and, as even Wall appears to be coming to somber terms with, that all but eliminates the Wizards from consideration. My sincerest apologies to the homecoming narrative.
Odds: 99/1
Let’s see what His Eloquency The Based God has to say about this one.
"If KD goes to the New York Knicks I am willing to lift the curse" wow!! "The BasedGod" just told me to say this!!! Wow!! – Lil B
— Lil B THE BASEDGOD (@LILBTHEBASEDGOD) June 24, 2016
Tempting stuff indeed, especially with Durant probably seeking to maximize his chances of winning a championship by appeasing any and all fictional deities possible. But not entirely feasible. With Carmelo Anthony as the incumbent scoring combo forward of choice in The Big Apple (not to mention their recent acquisition of Derrick Rose), Durant will likely be forced to settle for a more low-usage role than he may be willing to take. Kristaps “Latvian Superman” Porzingis needs more developmental minutes at the 4 as well. And under new head coach Jeff Hornacek, nobody quite knows what this latest incarnation of the Knicks is going to look like exactly.
Given how Durant has been knownto care for the media about as much as JR Smith cares for shirts, he might not take too kindly to the bloodthirsty circus known as the New York City press. Let’s just say that, despite Phil Jackson’s best intentions, I don’t think the Knicks’ pursuit of Durant will be going all that well.
Odds: 75/1
Philadelphia 76ers
Time to RECRUIT KD to the Sixers
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) May 31, 2016
Sorry, Joel. But a lifetime supply of Shirley Temples and an infinite amount of trust in “The Process” still won’t be enough to convince Durant to join a Sixers team that has won a total of 47 games in the last three seasons combined.
Odds: 500/1
