In the 2016 NBA offseason there will of course be several free agents, but none quite like Kevin Durant. His shooting, length, defense, and superstar status is something any team would love to have. But with Kevin Durant being a former MVP and one of the best players for the past several years he is going to get several offers, which will make it hard for any specific team to offer him something others can not. With Kevin Durant receiving so many offers what would be his best opportunity for success?
Oklahoma City Thunder
In Kevin Durant’s first season he played for the Seattle Supersonics. In Durant’s second year the team was relocated and renamed and became the Oklahoma City Thunder. In Durant’s nine years with his team he has been an NBA MVP, 7x NBA All-Star, NBA All-Star Game MVP, 5x All-NBA First Team member, and a 4x NBA scoring champion. Even with a great deal of success Durant still has not achieved every NBA players true goal, an NBA Championship. Durant could either see this scenario as unfinished business or simply a team that can not provide him with the one true thing he wants the most. Another thing Durant has to take into consideration when it comes to the Thunder is his potential salary. If Kevin Durant stays with the Thunder he can make more money than he can anywhere else. If Kevin Durant believes he can win a Championship with the Oklahoma City Thunder than his decision should be pretty easy, but with his history in the playoffs it doesn’t seem like he should have faith in a Championship with this team.
If he waits until next summer, Kevin Durant can sign a max deal worth over $200M with the Thunder pic.twitter.com/ljZFVE7do5
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 31, 2016
Washington Wizards
If Kevin Durant goes to the Washington Wizards it would be another LeBron James situation. Kevin Durant would be returning to his hometown on an Eastern Conference team. Yes the Eastern Conference is of course easier, but he would more than likely have to play against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Even with Durant joining the Wizards they still don’t seem like a team that would be capable of beating the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Potential Wizards starting lineup
John Wall
Bradley Beal
Kevin Durant
Nene
Marcin Gortat
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics improved their played dramatically from last year. They played great as a team and made the playoffs as a fifth seed. With Durant adding some much needed offense the Celtics could be a great, Championship caliber, team again.
Potential Celtics starting lineup
Isiah Thomas
Avery Bradley
Jae Crowder
Kevin Durant
Jared Sullinger
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets struggled immensely this year. They are a team that is clashing and they do not seem to have the best future. Dwight Howard is expected to be off the team before the start of next season because him and James Harden do not get along and had no chemistry throughout the year. Because of their terrible year, and the fact that they are in the tough western conference, this would be one of Durant’s worse options.
Potential Rockets Starting Lineup
Patrick Beverley
James Harden
Trevor Ariza
Kevin Durant
Donatas Montiejunas
Los Angeles Lakers
Every Los Angeles Lakers fan is hoping for a big free agency signing this offseason. Laker fans everywhere wanted DeMar DeRozan until he was asked about free agency and he spoke about the Raptors saying “My whole mindset has always been this is home for me”. Laker fans realized they did not have a chance for him and Kevin Durant will be the same. The Lakers had a terrible record this year, they have a bad roster, and they don’t have a very promising future. With Durant getting countless offers it’s hard to imagine him even considering the Lakers.
Potential Lakers starting lineup
D’Angelo Russell
Jordan Clarkson
Kevin Durant
Julius Randle
Roy Hibbert
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors were the 2015 NBA Champions, they finished with a 73-9 record (Best regular season record ever), they just eliminated Kevin Durant and the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, and they have a great chance of winning the Championship again. If Kevin Durant wants to win a Championship, and he doesn’t care about money, then this is definitely a great option. If Durant joined the Warriors they would be the scariest, and most unstoppable team we have ever seen. And that is something Kevin Durant might consider being apart of.
Potential Warriors starting lineup
Stephen Curry
Klay Thompson
Kevin Durant
Draymond Green
Andrew Bogut
San Antonio Spurs
With Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili’s benefit to the team getting smaller both may retire this offseason which would leave the Spurs with enough money to sign Durant to a more than respectable contract. With Durant coming to the Spurs we would see perhaps the most intimidating front court in NBA history.
Potential Spurs starting lineup
Tony Parker
Danny Green
Kawhi Leonard
Kevin Durant
LaMarcus Aldridge
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat are an already proven team with clutch players, depth, and leadership. LeBron James won two Championships with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh but at that time the Heat did not have a great point guard in Goran Dragic, a progressed Hassan Whiteside, or a bench with depth like they have now. If Chris Bosh can continue his NBA career, and the team stays healthy, this team would have a fantastic chance of defeating LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers and going on to win the NBA Championship.
Potential Heat starting lineup
Goran Dragic
Dwyane Wade
Kevin Durant
Chris Bosh
Hassan Whiteside
