The Kevin Durant reports will continue to pour in throughout the season as the former league MVP prepares to become a free agent next summer. Durant has been answering the free agency question for the past two years and has maintained the stance the he is committed to Oklahoma City and nothing else. However, reports continue to say otherwise as the latest rumor has Durant favoring the Los Angeles Lakers in 2016.
According to Stephen A. Smith on ESPN's 'First Take', Durant prefers signing with the Lakers over the Thunder next season. Smith says he is hearing Durant has no desire to remain in Oklahoma and likes Los Angeles over Miami or Washington D.C. who are also planning on chasing the star. Smith has also reported that Durant likes the idea of teaming up with Carmelo Anthony and Phil Jackson in New York City with the Knicks, so take his reports for what they are worth.
"I heard Melo, Kevin Durant, Kobe," Smith said, via 'First Take'. "And when you take into account that Phil Jackson is on the record saying it might be Kobe's last year in L.A. - opening the door that there are possibilities for him to go elsewhere. All I'm saying is you just never know."
This is simply just another line on the long list of Durant rumors. According to the Washington Post, the Wizards are hoping they have hometown advantage when it comes to Durant. John Wall told the media that when the time comes he will be recruiting the former MVP. The Miami Herald has also reported the Heat want to chase Durant and have been gearing their salary cap commitments towards being able to take on the high-priced deal.
There is no hard evidence that Durant will be heading to Los Angeles. The Lakers have young group of players this year as they prepare for post-Kobe Bryant life. The development of D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson will be a major factor in determining if the team can get big-named stars without Bryant on the roster.
One thing is certain, Durant will sign with a championship-contending team in free agency. The Thunder have the pieces to do just that, but the new coaching staff throw a loop into the plan. The Wizards certainly like their odds with Wall and Bradley Beal while Anthony is aiming to bring another star to New York to win a title. All of the Durant talk is mere speculation until the star himself actually makes a statement on the matter.
