Kevin Durant Free Agency Thread

[Guest202]

If Durant wants to win NOW he would absolutely consider GS. Why not? LeBron got to get a pair of rings with a dream team in Miami. It's not like those rings didn't count -- LeBron held up three fingers right after he won on Sunday.

GS with Durant would be so filthy. Never underestimate the pull of those Silicon Valley billions. SF is also chiller town than LA or NYC, which seems more Durant's vibe, imo.

[dautjazz]

If I'm Durant, I might consider staying in OKC. GS IMO is not getting any better. I think people will have figured out GS, attack Curry. Westbrook destroyed Curry in their series. With Adams getting better, and Roberson being an elite defender, and probably going to get better too, they still have a good young squad. Kanter is also 23, teach his ass how to play defense, he's already capable of 20+/12+ in 36mpg. I mean OBVIOUSLY GS gets better, but OKC is a better defensive team IMO and I think they have more future. If Durant goes to GS though, and they win, Durant, Curry, ALL OF THEM better get the same level criticism that Lebron got when he went to Miami.

[rallydurham]

It makes me laugh to hear about the warriors losing depth if durant comes to gsw.

It's not gonna be hard to find guys who can play garbage time.


Curry, Thompson, Durant, Green wins the title period. Let's not be silly.

None of the warriors bench guys are really any good at all besides iggy. Livingston is alright in spot duty but he's not a big deal. You're bench doesn't really matter a lot in the playoffs it's all about your top 6 for the most part.

When you have 4 players as dynamic as curry, thompson, durant, and green it isn't hard to find role players to fill out your roster

[bwgood77]

With the finals loss, we see that Curry needs a superstar next to him to open him up a bit, and it's completely obvious Durant is that guy. While Green played a tremendous game, the Warriors, overall lack someone to carry the offense when Curry can't get going. Lebron had Kyrie to do this, but Klay is a bit too wishy washy in my eyes to carry an offense when Curry is off the floor.

I really think this loss guarantees Durant signing with the Warriors.

No way. Durant loves his teammates. Not the type of guy to jump ship to a rival.

[anatomicbomb]

It seems to me like the question the OP wants to ask is, "Does this cement GSW's decision to pursue Durant?" because GSW losing in the Finals would, if anything, make Durant less likely to go to GSW. Durant will see that he was up 3-1 on a team that was up 3-1 on the Cavaliers in the Finals, and feel like he was only 1 win away from a championship this season. One thing the Thunder have that GSW does not, is a capable second scorer/offensive hub when their #1 player is off the floor.

If I'm GSW, I don't worry too much. The team needs more frontcourt depth, to shore up problems on the wing (Barnes probably leaving, Iguodala's back/age), and to learn the lesson of not taking things for granted. It looked to me like Draymond got the message, between the suspension and the loss, and will come back an improved player, including looking for his shot more, and increased confidence as a scorer. If you can get Durant, I think you take him, obviously, but you feel comfortable with what you have, if you can get some more depth and youth.

[pb-ceo]

With the finals loss, we see that Curry needs a superstar next to him to open him up a bit, and it's completely obvious Durant is that guy. While Green played a tremendous game, the Warriors, overall lack someone to carry the offense when Curry can't get going. Lebron had Kyrie to do this, but Klay is a bit too wishy washy in my eyes to carry an offense when Curry is off the floor.

I really think this loss guarantees Durant signing with the Warriors.

on the contrary. it cements his belief that they are beatable and that he will stay in OKC.

[Pointgod]

Steph Curry needs teammates that can hit open shots. Looking at you Harrison 5-32 Barnes and Festus Crapzili

[Shock Defeat]

Steph Curry needs teammates that can hit open shots. Looking at you Harrison 5-32 Barnes and Festus Crapzili

You can say that for every NBA superstar. You think James Harden appreciated playing with 4 other terrible shooters? Don't see anybody going out of their way to give Harden a pass when his team loses. With the team Curry had, there are no excuses for choking like he did. Curry doesn't "need" anymore help, he failed in the Playoffs.

[SF_Warriors]

Would love for KD to come to the bay, but I do agree that there is simply not enough shots to go around. All the guys are unselfish, but someone's stats are gonna take a nosedive.

I think KD truly loves playing with Russ, but Roberson/waiters/singler on the wings is very underwhelming. The frontcourt is solid, though. But really, it is every players' dream to play with elite shooting teammates. It makes it so much easier for everyone, especially a guy like KD who would absolutely feast on opponents with the type of spacing he would get in GSW.

[pb-ceo]

Steph Curry needs teammates that can hit open shots. Looking at you Harrison 5-32 Barnes and Festus Crapzili

his teammates need a unanimous rs MVP to play like one on the biggest stage.

[bmurph128]

Am I the only one that doesn't think Durant would make the Warriors that much better?

If Curry and Thompson were relegated to just 3 point shooters, then I think they would keep their record around where it is (they can't improve it). But I don't see that happening. Thompson would be relegated to nothing but a 3 and d player.

Also, Iguadala's defense was HUGE in their 3-1 comeback against OKC...now we're basically taking Iggy out??

[Kurosawa0]

The Thunder will enter next year as possibly the favorite in the West next year. It certainly will be trendy to pick them.

[Guest202]

Durant on GS is basically the Warriors becoming the St. Louis Rams "Greatest Show on Turf":

The Greatest Show on Turf was was the nickname for the St. Louis Rams' record-breaking offense during the 1999, 2000, and 2001 National Football League seasons. Anchored by running back Marshall Faulk, NFL Offensive Player of the Year for three consecutive years from 1999 through 2001, quarterback Kurt Warner, 2-time NFL MVP, the receiving duo of Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt.

They won 1 of 2 Super Bowl appearances in a 3 year span. I'd bet GS would win 1 or 2 titles within 3 years.

[Pointgod]

Steph Curry needs teammates that can hit open shots. Looking at you Harrison 5-32 Barnes and Festus Crapzili

his teammates need a unanimous rs MVP to play like one on the biggest stage.

Curry definitely needed to play better but for a supposed max player Harrison Barnes played like he's never stepped foot on a court before.

[lars_rosenberg]

It makes me laugh to hear about the warriors losing depth if durant comes to gsw.

It's not gonna be hard to find guys who can play garbage time.


Curry, Thompson, Durant, Green wins the title period. Let's not be silly.

None of the warriors bench guys are really any good at all besides iggy. Livingston is alright in spot duty but he's not a big deal. You're bench doesn't really matter a lot in the playoffs it's all about your top 6 for the most part.

When you have 4 players as dynamic as curry, thompson, durant, and green it isn't hard to find role players to fill out your roster

^This.
Our "depth" sucked in the finals. It's a bunch of overrated players.
Iggy is still very good, but players like Barbosa (who was out of the league), Speights (who plays no defense), Ezeli (who sucks and has no bbIQ) and Barnes (definition of overrated) aren't anything special.
Livingston is fine, but I feel he's become a little overrated because of his injury history. I like him and I want him back next season, but he's not a starter level player.

Just give me Durant and I'm fine.

[BayArea408415]

Well, apparently Durant is having teams visit him in LA. Warriors likely one of them. Not getting any hopes up though.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/report-kevin-durant-to-meet-with-teams-in-los-angeles-interested-in-warriors/

[BayArea408415]

^This.
Our "depth" sucked in the finals. It's a bunch of overrated players.
Iggy is still very good, but players like Barbosa (who was out of the league), Speights (who plays no defense), Ezeli (who sucks and has no bbIQ) and Barnes (definition of overrated) aren't anything special.
Livingston is fine, but I feel he's become a little overrated because of his injury history. I like him and I want him back next season, but he's not a starter level player.

Just give me Durant and I'm fine.

Barbosa definitely contributed against the Cavs in his limited minutes. I want to keep him on the VET min.

[joeyAdaMan]

hmmm....i like Durant...but this would be a bad look for him....worse than the decision IMO....he should do what makes him happy obviously...but winning titles with the Warriors isn't going to enhance his legacy(IMHO) if he's concerned about such things

[SF_Warriors]

Am I the only one that doesn't think Durant would make the Warriors that much better?

If Curry and Thompson were relegated to just 3 point shooters, then I think they would keep their record around where it is (they can't improve it). But I don't see that happening. Thompson would be relegated to nothing but a 3 and d player.

Also, Iguadala's defense was HUGE in their 3-1 comeback against OKC...now we're basically taking Iggy out??

Durant is one of the greatest players in the nba. And klay and/or curry would thrive as spot up shooters, and of course can be go-to guys when KD is sitting or when he is cold that night. Trust me, having three of the most deadliest shooters in the world who can also create their own shots is not anywhere close to an issue and will open up the game for everyone.

Honestly, if you do not think adding a superstar to a great core is beneficial , than you really do not understand basketball.
For instance, Lebron to miami..sure wade and bosh's stats took a hit, but they won two rings out of it. That's a fair trade off if you ask me. We arent talking about adding aldridge to an aging core. We are talking about adding someone much better to a cor ein its absolute prime here.
Also KD > both HB and Andre combined
I understand the depth concerns, but those can be addressed by vet minimum ring chasers..and that is okay because that is all that will be needed with four all stars, two of them being superstars on the same squad.

As far as record goes, I think the move will be for dominating the playoffs, not the regular season.

[Torres]

Durant just needs to grown some thick skin and go to GS.