The OKC Thunder are hoping to keep Kevin Durant as a free agent in 2016 and teams like the Miami Heat, Washington Wizards, Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors along with the Dallas Mavericks could be options to sign the star and this comes as Oklahoma City has added Enes Kanter back this offseason and signed Josh Huestis to a contract.
Durant has been asked about free agency all offseason and since he dealt with injuries this season, his future has been speculated on even more. According to CBS Sports, there are a number of teams that feel they are "legitimate" contenders for Durant, including the Miami Heat, Warriors, Celtics and Washington Wizards. The Dallas Mavericks also feel they have a chance, but after the DeAndre Jordan saga, that could be off.
ESPN reports that league execs that were polled feel that Durant will stay in OKC, but there is always a chance he leaves. According to the Washington Post, the Wizards have been preparing for the chance to chase Durant, as they have made moves with keeping the cap in 2016 open. The team has signed few players past this season and they are looking to make a big push to join Durant with John Wall and Bradley Beal. Durant dealt with injuries this season and the Thunder realize that this upcoming year is huge for the future of the franchise.
The team matched an offer sheet for Enes Kanter this offseason to make sure that the team has the chance to compete and it came at a high price. The $70 million deal will look better when the cap goes up and as many have pointed out, the Thunder had no choice but to match, as they have to be better this season. The team is hoping that Durant can stay healthy and they hope that a strong season will convince him to stay long term. Last season Durant played in just 27 ages and averaging 25 points per game and he is expected to be ready for the start of the season.
Miami is hoping to try and sign Durant, as reports have the team making moves with clearing cap space in mind this summer. The team has been trying to trade Mario Chalmers and Chris Andersen and they have already traded Shabazz Napier and Zoran Dragic this offseason. The Thunder have added another player to the roster, signing Josh Huestis to a contract a year after drafting him.
According to a release from the team, the Thunder signed Huestis to a deal and while the financials were not disclosed, it adds another option for the Thunder to build around. According o Pro Basketball Talk, the team used Huestis as a "domestic draft-and-stash player" and he was drafted out of Stanford and then assigned him to the D-League over a rookie scale deal. The team did not want him taking up a roster spot and now they have signed him to a four year deal, per the team release.
Check here for more on Durant, the Thunder offseason moves and the signing of Huestis.