Kevin Durant is set to become a free agent next summer, and rumors have been swirling for years about possible destinations for the 26-year-old superstar. But when Durant finally makes his decision, there could be very little excitement.
According to Ken Berger of CBSSports.com, several NBA executives who were polled at the Summer League in Las Vegas expect Durant to re-sign with the Thunder. That should hardly come as a surprise, as Durant was already loyal to the Thunder the last time he was up for a contract and has openly stated that he wants to spend his entire career in Oklahoma City.
While Durant has been linked to several teams, Berger notes that only a “handful” are actually in the running for the six-time NBA All-Star. We know the Knicks are going to hold out hope until the bitter end. There has also been speculation that Durant might want to return to his hometown to play.
Still, the most likely scenario is that Durant stays right where he is. His contract is expiring at the perfect time, with a massive increase in the NBA salary cap forthcoming. The Thunder are going to be able to offer Durant a ton of money, which might make his decision easier.
In reality, how the Thunder perform next season will likely determine Durant’s future. If K.D. is unhappy with the direction of the team under its new head coach, he could sign elsewhere in pursuit of a championship. With all the money he has made both on and off the court, the most important thing to Durant is probably winning a ring. If Oklahoma City starts heading in the wrong direction, he probably won’t want to waste the prime of his career.
