The Kevin Durant sweepstakes have begun with interested teams around the league trying to get a meeting with the one-time NBA MVP. Although Durant will be meeting with teams in Los Angeles once NBA free agency gets underway on July 1, the Oklahoma City Thunder still remain the favorites to retain the veteran forward when it is all said and done.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, Durant may be looking to a sign a one-year deal even if he ultimately decides to leave Oklahoma City, via CBS Radio:
“I think that Oklahoma City remains the frontrunner – and a strong frontrunner,” The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski said on CBS Sports Radio’s Tiki and Tierney. “I’m told even if he left, he would do a one-year deal. Economically, it makes sense for him to do a one-year deal and then do the longer deal after it. It’ll be worth more money because the cap goes up next year. But Oklahoma City is a frontrunner. They’re a strong frontrunner.”
With Durant potentially signing a one-year deal with the Thunder or elsewhere in preparation to sign a long-term deal next year, the Los Angeles Lakers may still have a dog in the fight. All signs point to the Lakers being unable to secure a meeting with Durant, but that could quickly change once the free agency period begins later this week.
Obviously, as the team is currently constructed, the Lakers don’t have the appeal of legitimate championship contenders like the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, and Thunder. Los Angeles likely won’t make a giant leap forward over the course of next season, but may show signs of promise potentially giving them a chance to make a much better pitch to Durant next summer if he does decide to test the market once again.