Kevin Durant Free Agency Thread

[Guest202]

People are ignoring Durant's foot too. Who knows how many [prime] years he has before the foot aggravates and forces him to retire.

[MrBigShot]

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.

It's not about whether or not they are getting any better. They just won 73 games and we're a game away from repeating. It's about how much talent Durant would add to them; Durant to GS and they instantly become title favorites.

Moot point anyway because I don't think he's leaving OKC.

[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.

It's not about whether or not they are getting any better. They just won 73 games and we're a game away from repeating. It's about how much talent Durant would add to them; Durant to GS and they instantly become title favorites.

Moot point anyway because I don't think he's leaving OKC.

I don't know if GS needs to necessarily just get more talent, they have enough of that really. They really need to correct many flaws in their game. You can put Durant in there, would that change their defense much? There is only one ball, but you need 5 defenders, and when you insert Durant, you're taking out Iguodala. I mean Iguodala is already a talented SF, and a better defender. You need more guys in the post. It's a PG league, and Curry can't defend, so you beat GS through him (ironically). My point is, sure on paper is out sounds awesome to add Durant, but offense isn't what lost it for GS. Interior defense and sloppy play did.

[jpengland]

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.

It's not about whether or not they are getting any better. They just won 73 games and we're a game away from repeating. It's about how much talent Durant would add to them; Durant to GS and they instantly become title favorites.

Moot point anyway because I don't think he's leaving OKC.

I don't know if GS needs to necessarily just get more talent, they have enough of that really. They really need to correct many flaws in their game. You can put Durant in there, would that change their defense much? There is only one ball, but you need 5 defenders, and when you insert Durant, you're taking out Iguodala. I mean Iguodala is already a talented SF, and a better defender. You need more guys in the post. It's a PG league, and Curry can't defend, so you beat GS through him (ironically). My point is, sure on paper is out sounds awesome to add Durant, but offense isn't what lost it for GS. Interior defense and sloppy play did.

Durant would take the Barnes minutes plus more Draynonf at the 5 and less Ezeli and Speights.

His defense is underrated, certainly better than Barnes. He also solves the issues around Curry as you can't scheme in the same way with Durant and his gravity. You can't leave either Curry or Durant with an inch of room. Durant can also ISO which allows you to chuck him the ball if the rest of the offense isn't clicking.

Its not happening. But Durant on GSW would be other worldly.

[Warriorfan]

I don't think Durant is leaving this year to give OKC another shot
but he will be a 38 million dollar player next year in free agency.
Do warriors need him or just Kyle Korver to hit the open looks Curry creates.

[dautjazz]

It's not about whether or not they are getting any better. They just won 73 games and we're a game away from repeating. It's about how much talent Durant would add to them; Durant to GS and they instantly become title favorites.

Moot point anyway because I don't think he's leaving OKC.

I don't know if GS needs to necessarily just get more talent, they have enough of that really. They really need to correct many flaws in their game. You can put Durant in there, would that change their defense much? There is only one ball, but you need 5 defenders, and when you insert Durant, you're taking out Iguodala. I mean Iguodala is already a talented SF, and a better defender. You need more guys in the post. It's a PG league, and Curry can't defend, so you beat GS through him (ironically). My point is, sure on paper is out sounds awesome to add Durant, but offense isn't what lost it for GS. Interior defense and sloppy play did.

Durant would take the Barnes minutes plus more Draynonf at the 5 and less Ezeli and Speights.

His defense is underrated, certainly better than Barnes. He also solves the issues around Curry as you can't scheme in the same way with Durant and his gravity. You can't leave either Curry or Durant with an inch of room. Durant can also ISO which allows you to chuck him the ball if the rest of the offense isn't clicking.

Its not happening. But Durant on GSW would be other worldly.

I'll take 2014 Spurs beastly ball movement over isolation. The Warriors need to go back to what they were doing during the regular season, their passing was crisp, during the playoffs their passing was pretty horrible.

[KidPistol]

You are kidding. GS had more firepower in Curry and Klay than most of the league combined. Add the supposed best bench of all time and you still think he needs help?

1. The series went 7 games and down to the final seconds.
2. I actually think even more so with this loss that Curry would NOT want Durant because it would make him look as weak as most people think Durant would be with such a move.

All that aside, I have no problem with any player signing wherever he wants. But for arguments sake yeah the above applies.

Screw that, if I'm Curry I'm definitely wanting Durant on my team. Screw the "weak" comments. In 20 years, we will look at LeBron and see that at the end of the day, he's still a 3 time champion even if he formed a super team in Miami (who I actually thought was a very beatable team even before the 2011 finals) with Wade and Bosh. If Durant joins the Warriors, that is pretty much guarenteeing him at least 2 rings to add to his legacy and years from now, like LeBron, we will look at his accolades and say, "Durant is a champion", not "Durant is weak". He'd definitely be a villain today like LeBron was on the Heat but it will pay off for his legacy.

EDIT: Also if he pulls a LeBron and wins rings then after 4 years, goes back to EITHER OKC or home to Washington and wins rings as a result from his championship experience, it wouldn't even matter if he joined Golden State

[The Penguin]

Durant should absolutely go to Golden State.

The reason their offense looked so bad the last 3 games was the Cavs just left Barnes wide open as he bricked shot after shot. Ball movement doesn't mean anything if the ball ends up in the hands of a guy who can't make a shot. If you put Durant in that spot it completely changes the dynamic and opens everything up for Steph & Klay. As it stands, you are likely going to have to pay Barnes more than anyone else on the team, given his Finals performance, that's asking for a mess with the team dynamic. You can sign Durant while keeping Steph / Klay / Draymond / Iggy intact, losing Bogut would hurt some, but injuries are piling up with him and they've got young bigs in McAdoo and Looney and can always bargain hunt for the next Whiteside (or something a quarter as good as Whiteside).


As for staying in OKC, I understand it from the money side, it really does make the most sense. But if Russ isn't committed long term (and there are plenty of stories that he's not) then really all you are doing is giving it a 1 year shot to try to beat the team you can just join, eliminating a challenger in the process.

[bondom34]

As for staying in OKC, I understand it from the money side, it really does make the most sense. But if Russ isn't committed long term (and there are plenty of stories that he's not) then really all you are doing is giving it a 1 year shot to try to beat the team you can just join, eliminating a challenger in the process.

I've honestly never seen these.

[The Penguin]

As for staying in OKC, I understand it from the money side, it really does make the most sense. But if Russ isn't committed long term (and there are plenty of stories that he's not) then really all you are doing is giving it a 1 year shot to try to beat the team you can just join, eliminating a challenger in the process.

I've honestly never seen these.

They were just talking about it on Mike & Mike this morning.

[KidPistol]

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??

You'd bet against a team with Curry, Klay, Green, and Durant? I mean I understand they need a guy to hold down the paint (Dwight, Biyombo, ECT.) but they can draft that.

[bondom34]

As for staying in OKC, I understand it from the money side, it really does make the most sense. But if Russ isn't committed long term (and there are plenty of stories that he's not) then really all you are doing is giving it a 1 year shot to try to beat the team you can just join, eliminating a challenger in the process.

I've honestly never seen these.

They were just talking about it on Mike & Mike this morning.

But like a real report. Not "he's from LA so he's going there". I can talk about Kawhi demanding a trade, that doesn't make it a "report".

[The Penguin]

I've honestly never seen these.

They were just talking about it on Mike & Mike this morning.

But like a real report. Not "he's from LA so he's going there". I can talk about Kawhi demanding a trade, that doesn't make it a "report".

There's not one real report on any player movement until it happens, just a bunch of guys throwing stuff against the wall hoping they can puff their chests when they get it right. It was a poor wording choice on my part. But there are plenty of rumblings he's going to investigate all options long term.

Financially it makes plenty of sense to stay, but the off the court earnings of Lebron and Steph trump their on the court earnings. Team wise, they were very close this year and probably would have given the Cavs a good run. But staying for only 1 year if you know it's only 1 year is a poor choice, especially when there's very high odds the team you are joining is better than the one you are leaving.

[jpengland]

I don't know if GS needs to necessarily just get more talent, they have enough of that really. They really need to correct many flaws in their game. You can put Durant in there, would that change their defense much? There is only one ball, but you need 5 defenders, and when you insert Durant, you're taking out Iguodala. I mean Iguodala is already a talented SF, and a better defender. You need more guys in the post. It's a PG league, and Curry can't defend, so you beat GS through him (ironically). My point is, sure on paper is out sounds awesome to add Durant, but offense isn't what lost it for GS. Interior defense and sloppy play did.

Durant would take the Barnes minutes plus more Draynonf at the 5 and less Ezeli and Speights.

His defense is underrated, certainly better than Barnes. He also solves the issues around Curry as you can't scheme in the same way with Durant and his gravity. You can't leave either Curry or Durant with an inch of room. Durant can also ISO which allows you to chuck him the ball if the rest of the offense isn't clicking.

Its not happening. But Durant on GSW would be other worldly.

I'll take 2014 Spurs beastly ball movement over isolation. The Warriors need to go back to what they were doing during the regular season, their passing was crisp, during the playoffs their passing was pretty horrible.

Sorry. I think you misunderstood.

I'm not suggesting that GSW get Durant and suddenly play ISO. But it's another string to their bow when the passing game starts to struggle. You have another option to chuck the ball to Durant and let his gravity attract the defense.

Imagine a 'death' line up of Curry/Thompson/Iggy/Durant/Green - That is 5 players capable of shooting the three, handling the ball, passing, and making huge plays. That's practically unstoppable IMO.

[bondom34]

They were just talking about it on Mike & Mike this morning.

But like a real report. Not "he's from LA so he's going there". I can talk about Kawhi demanding a trade, that doesn't make it a "report".

There's not one real report on any player movement until it happens, just a bunch of guys throwing stuff against the wall hoping they can puff their chests when they get it right. It was a poor wording choice on my part. But there are plenty of rumblings he's going to investigate all options long term.

Financially it makes plenty of sense to stay, but the off the court earnings of Lebron and Steph trump their on the court earnings. Team wise, they were very close this year and probably would have given the Cavs a good run. But staying for only 1 year if you know it's only 1 year is a poor choice, especially when there's very high odds the team you are joining is better than the one you are leaving.

But there literally hasn't been a report. There are always reports of guys actually wanting to play elsewhere. We saw it with Aldrige, with Hayward now, with Dwight, Lebron, Melo, heck even CP3. There's literally never been a single word about him other than "he's from LA, he must want to go there". If that were true half the league would be there.

Oh and that's not even talking about Durant who's just not going to GSW. He doesn't have it in him.

[Frosty]

I really hope he doesn't go to GS, the league already suffers from too much talent on too few teams. It will soon be to the point that you have two teams contending because everyone teamed up.

[SFrush]

Durant should absolutely go to Golden State.

The reason their offense looked so bad the last 3 games was the Cavs just left Barnes wide open as he bricked shot after shot. Ball movement doesn't mean anything if the ball ends up in the hands of a guy who can't make a shot. If you put Durant in that spot it completely changes the dynamic and opens everything up for Steph & Klay. As it stands, you are likely going to have to pay Barnes more than anyone else on the team, given his Finals performance, that's asking for a mess with the team dynamic. You can sign Durant while keeping Steph / Klay / Draymond / Iggy intact, losing Bogut would hurt some, but injuries are piling up with him and they've got young bigs in McAdoo and Looney and can always bargain hunt for the next Whiteside (or something a quarter as good as Whiteside).


As for staying in OKC, I understand it from the money side, it really does make the most sense. But if Russ isn't committed long term (and there are plenty of stories that he's not) then really all you are doing is giving it a 1 year shot to try to beat the team you can just join, eliminating a challenger in the process.

Great Post.

[Rafael122]

I would hate to be an OKC fan right now. This could all be BS and he comes back, but these next couple of weeks are going to be nerve wrecking. The franchise's relevancy is hanging in the balance.

[bondom34]

I would hate to be an OKC fan right now. This could all be BS and he comes back, but these next couple of weeks are going to be nerve wrecking. The franchise's relevancy is hanging in the balance.

Honestly, not worried.

I'd bet a ton of money he stays. I haven't seen a report that I trust, given what he's said.

[tidho]

I don't think Durant is leaving this year to give OKC another shot
but he will be a 38 million dollar player next year in free agency.
Do warriors need him or just Kyle Korver to hit the open looks Curry creates.

This.

Obviously you don't pass on Durant if you can get him, but GS may ultimately be better off being more strategic with their cap. The last two series showed they had some holes, bring in Durant and somebody is getting Bosh'd/Love'd. If you get it right, fit can out weigh talent.