The Oklahoma City Thunder are in the midst of the best season in franchise history. Kevin Durant is in the midst of one of his worst.
With a 54-12 record and a winning percentage of .818%, it appears nothing could go wrong for OKC. However, many teams have had great regular season runs yet fallen short of a championship.
During a recent segment of ESPN’s Get Up, sports analyst Stephen A. Smith said the Thunder should consider acquiring Phoenix Suns’ forward Kevin Durant if they fail to win a championship.
Kevin Durant’s Oklahoma City Roots
After a monumental year at the University of Texas at Austin, Durant declared for the 2007 NBA draft where he was selected second by the then-Seattle Supersonics.
Durant put together a tremendous rookie season in Seattle. He led all rookies in scoring with an average of 20.3 points. At the end of the season, he scored a then-career-high 42 points in a win against the Golden State Warriors.
Durant’s impressive efforts paid off. He won the 2008 Rookie of the Year Award and joined LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony as the only teenagers to average 20-plus points throughout an entire season.
He continued building his illustrious career once the Supersonics relocated to Oklahoma City. Over the next eight seasons, Durant averaged 28.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks. He also established himself as one of the greatest scorers of all-time, winning the scoring title four times.
Durant’s best season was during the 2013-14 campaign. That year he averaged a career-high 32.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.3 steals. His play that year led to his first and only MVP award.
Why a Reunion Could Work
Durant is currently in the third of his four-year contract with the Suns. With Phoenix holding a 31-36 record and in danger of missing the playoffs, signs point to them trading KD this summer.
It could pose a great opportunity for the Thunder to reach out to the 15-time All-Star. Right now, the Thunder have 29 future draft picks available. If Durant does demand a trade, the Thunder have the assets to kickstart the rebuilding stage for Phoenix.
On top of their picks, Phoenix might demand some of OKC’s young talent. Since they will be losing Durant, they might request small forward Luguentz Dort, plus some young guards to fill out their bench.
Durant’s Fulfilling Fit
If the Thunder are able to acquire Durant, it would polish their roster. As it currently stands, Isaiah Hartenstein is the starting center while Chet Holmgren occupies the power forward spot. With Durant on the roster, Hartenstein will likely be moved to the bench while Holmgren would regain his center position.
For the majority of his career, Durant has felt comfortable being the primary ball handler and scorer. But with elite shot-making guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander controlling the game, Durant might have to settle with playing off-ball more.
In spite of that, the Thunder would be great fit for Durant.
Although he is 36 years old, Durant is arguably still in his prime. This season he’s averaging 26.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 blocks. Not only will he continue to create his shot, but he can help the Thunder out on defense too. If he and Holmgren occupy the power forward and center positions, respectively, they will be a great defensive frontcourt.
With the Thunder being one of the best teams in the league, making drastic changes might not be on their mind. However, this offseason could be pivotal for them, regardless of the situation.
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