The Kevin Durant free agent rumors have already started for the savvy basketball fans out there and while it's very unlikely he will leave the OKC Thunder, Pro Basketball Talk writes that if he does do that in 2016 free agency, the Washington Wizards are one team that will be in the mix, as he is from the area and the team just hired his old high school coach.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, Stephen A. Smith of ESPN said on the radio in Washington that he thinks that Durant would consider signing with the Wizards in the future since that is where he is from. The Wizards are on their way up and they are looking like a real factor in an open eastern conference, as they have Bradley Beal and John Wall along with Marcin Gortat on a new deal. The team lost Trevor Ariza, but they should still have their core in 2016 when Durant is up in free agency.
PBT writes that the team added David Adkins on their staff and he was previously an assistant at Durant' school when he went to Montrose Christian. Obviously that doesn't mean Durant is leaving or that the coach will still be there when he hits the market, but hey, it could get interesting if Durant decides to test the waters and the Wiz have cap space that summer. Chances are they will try and position themselves to do that or at least make a run at Durant.
Durant could look to team up with players like LeBron did, or he could depart the Thunder to help bring a championship team to another franchise, but no one will know until he hits the market. OKC obviously will do all they can to keep him, but if the team doesn't win a championship before then, there is a chance he could leave.
The Thunder traded away one of their best players in James Harden over money and that must have been tough for Durant to deal with and now he could head into the 2016 summer with another MVP award or two, but no NBA championship. LeBron had to leave for Miami to win and Durant may have to make a decision similar to that one. Obviously that is still a few years away, but if the papers keep hating on Durant and the team doesn't add some more firepower over the next couple seasons, OKC could see their superstar leave for the bright lights of another city like LA, NY or Chicago.
Durant has an MVP award now heading into free agency in 2016, Durant may have no choice but to weigh his options, as there is a good chance the team will not have a championship by then and it could make him think about leaving. Russell Westbrook is a great player, but he shoots too much and can't seem to get over the fact that Durant is the MVP and alpha dog of the team and there is no excuse for him taking as many shots as he does.
