Assuming Kevin Durant becomes a free agent after the 2015-16 season, the Oklahoma City Thunder star and reigning NBA MVP will have his choice of suitors. In fact, he’ll have his choice of any team in the league.
Many have assumed the race to sign Durant will be between the Thunder and the Washington Wizards, though the Los Angeles Lakers are said to want in as they are setting themselves to sign Durant when he hits the market.
That’s the word from Kevin Ding who says LA is doing what they can to put themselves in position to sign Durant after next season.
Even if top unrestricted free agents such as Marc Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love, DeAndre Jordan, Greg Monroe and Rajon Rondo (or restricted free agents Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green) don’t want to come to the Lakers or switch teams at all this summer, the Lakers do plan on upgrading the roster in some meaningful way. It is imperative to show some roster progress next season to set the table to sell Kevin Durant and others in 2016.
With Kobe Bryant‘s contract set to expire (and possible retirement looming at that point), it would effecitvely be a passing of the guard though there’s been little indication that Durant would be open to playing in Los Angeles currently.
Yes, the Lakers are one of the NBA’s marquee franchises and Kevin Durant’ stardom would become even brighter, but he’s shown a tendency to enjoy playing without the pressures of big city basketball so you wonder if the Lakers would truly be a possible destination.
