How does OKC making the WCF impact Boston's chances for KD?

[Moranis]

very little

[PhoSita]

Boston has almost zero chance of getting KD, but the playoffs have had very little impact on those chances.

[PaulP34]

My feeling is Durant ever coming here was like fantasy talk. Similar to trading Pokemon characters....no basis in reality. (Sorry, that's just my thought.)

Don't believe the WCF results would make the slightest impact on Durant's decision to choose the Celtics. Boston is not going to be his destination when he has so many better options to win a Championship. He may make a coffee stop and talk with Danny, but it will only be to drive up his stock.

I agree here. Durrant will visit Boston only to drive up his stock and make OKC bid against themselves. TP for that

[jpotter33]

It definitely hurts them, but it doesn't kill the chances by any means. NBA insiders and reporters are still saying he hasn't made up his mind yet. If they get pretty easily handled by Golden State, that might be just as much of an indictment against that team as anything. However, if it's a close six or seven game series, you'd have to think he's close enough with OKC to give them one more year. I do think losing to San Antonio would've been the last straw and ultimately forced his hand.

Unless he wins it all this year, he'll look around and weigh his options, and as long as we get a meeting, there will always be a chance. We'll just have to sell him on our versatility and flexibility and the ability to bring another max star with him of his choosing. The lottery will go a long way in determining our options for upgrading via trades, too.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

There are at least two ways to view this situation:

1) OKC reaching the conference finals maybe eliminates the tiny sliver of hope Celtics fans had of acquiring him this summer.

2) OKC's (likely) WCF loss to GS helps KD realize that GS is the team in West for the next several years, and that he doesn't want to waste the rest of his prime playing in the same conference, so he looks to the East and sees Boston's golden shores and Brad Stevens' pearly smile welcoming him to his new home.

[jambr380]

There are at least two ways to view this situation:

1) OKC reaching the conference finals maybe eliminates the tiny sliver of hope Celtics fans had of acquiring him this summer.

2) OKC's (likely) WCF loss to GS helps KD realize that GS is the team in West for the next several years, and that he doesn't want to waste the rest of his prime playing in the same conference, so he looks to the East and sees Boston's golden shores and Brad Stevens' pearly smile welcoming him to his new home.

Unfortunately, there is a 3.

GSW destroys OKC and Durant decides that if he can't beat them, then he might as well join them. At that point, we should all just sit back and enjoy GSW domination over the basketball universe.

[jpotter33]

There are at least two ways to view this situation:

1) OKC reaching the conference finals maybe eliminates the tiny sliver of hope Celtics fans had of acquiring him this summer.

2) OKC's (likely) WCF loss to GS helps KD realize that GS is the team in West for the next several years, and that he doesn't want to waste the rest of his prime playing in the same conference, so he looks to the East and sees Boston's golden shores and Brad Stevens' pearly smile welcoming him to his new home.

Unfortunately, there is a 3.

GSW destroys OKC and Durant decides that if he can't beat them, then he might as well join them. At that point, we should all just sit back and enjoy GSW domination over the basketball universe.

People keep talking about that, but I really don't think it's a feasible option.

First, there is such a thing as "too much of a good thing." If Golden State repeats in convincing fashion, they legitimately would have to consider whether or not adding Durant is a smart move. As the saying goes - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Durant is obviously an All-NBA talent, but adding him could very well have locker room/stylistic issues if he isn't ultimately happy being a second option.

Second, I don't think Durant would truly consider Golden State anyways, because he has too much pride (in a good way not a bad way) to go to such an established team like that in his prime. He would play second fiddle to Curry, and his legacy as a top-dog would ultimately be severely damaged by going there.

Realistically, I just don't think he can go there if for the sake of his legacy. He'd damage himself too much by going to join a repeating champion with three All-Stars, three probable All-NBA players, and a repeating two-time MVP while he is still in his prime. I just can't see that happening.

[dannyboy35]

There are at least two ways to view this situation:

1) OKC reaching the conference finals maybe eliminates the tiny sliver of hope Celtics fans had of acquiring him this summer.

2) OKC's (likely) WCF loss to GS helps KD realize that GS is the team in West for the next several years, and that he doesn't want to waste the rest of his prime playing in the same conference, so he looks to the East and sees Boston's golden shores and Brad Stevens' pearly smile welcoming him to his new home.

Unfortunately, there is a 3.

GSW destroys OKC and Durant decides that if he can't beat them, then he might as well join them. At that point, we should all just sit back and enjoy GSW domination over the basketball universe.

People keep talking about that, but I really don't think it's a feasible option.

First, there is such a thing as "too much of a good thing." If Golden State repeats in convincing fashion, they legitimately would have to consider whether or not adding Durant is a smart move. As the saying goes - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Durant is obviously an All-NBA talent, but adding him could very well have locker room/stylistic issues if he isn't ultimately happy being a second option.

Second, I don't think Durant would truly consider Golden State anyways, because he has too much pride (in a good way not a bad way) to go to such an established team like that in his prime. He would play second fiddle to Curry, and his legacy as a top-dog would ultimately be severely damaged by going there.

Realistically, I just don't think he can go there if for the sake of his legacy. He'd damage himself too much by going to join a repeating champion with three All-Stars, three probable All-NBA players, and a repeating two-time MVP while he is still in his prime. I just can't see that happening.

   I used to be of yhis opinion but I think he'd take being option 1a or 2 to have a sure lock as any in history, for a title. Anywhere else and he's the underdog.  Certainly a huge uber dog on Boston.  He's just never coming here.

[dannyboy35]

I really think we should be after Boogie. His bad rep is what makes it possible, unfortunTely.

[ThePaintedArea]

1) OKC reaching the conference finals maybe eliminates the tiny sliver of hope Celtics fans had of acquiring him this summer.

That was always a mirage. 2017 is more likely.

[LilRip]

It was a long shot to begin with. If the Thunder got embarrassed, maybe he would've left OKC. But honestly, he's playing with MVP level talent in Russ. What that team needs is a better bench and a better coach. I think they'd love a guy like ET on their team.

[chambers]

I think he'll still just sign a 1+ 1 with OKC and then see what Westbrook does next offseason.
We just need him to come and sit down with us for a strategic discussion so we can plant the seed of building around him here in the East.

Hopefully the Warriors will sweep them or manhandle them 4-1 or something and do the same next playoffs which would make him think really hard.

[Greyman]

While it doesn't help the only way KD is ever going to Boston is if DA can convince him that he has a better chance of winning a championship than he has with OKC, GSW or the Spurs or whoever else is courting him. If he should win one this season with OKC that would be more difficult but even if GSW sweep OKC, DA's task remains the same.

Durant wants to win a championship sooner than later. I think he would go to GSW, even if he wasn't top dog. He is likely to win a championship, still have plenty of profile and maybe increase his earning power. A lot of things would need to go right for DA to get Durant.

[Celtics4ever]

2) OKC's (likely) WCF loss to GS helps KD realize that GS is the team in West for the next several years, and that he doesn't want to waste the rest of his prime playing in the same conference, so he looks to the East and sees Boston's golden shores and Brad Stevens' pearly smile welcoming him to his new home.

I feel out of my chair laughing reading this post.   Very good use of Sarcasm, CLE is the team to beat in the East.  I think it depends on what OKC does against GS.  If they get swept there is sliver he might leave them, I do not think it will be for us.

[Celtic_Pride777]

Never had much hope that he would sign here anyways...so this doesn't really bother me