Will Durant wait a year or two?

[walker834]

I can understand loyalty and owing your teammates another shot after the run OKC made this year.  But what if they win it?  What if they don't he's just prolonging the inevitable.  KG was a loyal guy and agonized over that and I wonder if there were some regrets that he didn't come here sooner.

It seems like the right thing to do to give OKC and his teammates another shot.  OKC as constituted can contend but I feel like we could put a better team around him.

What if OKC does that though? Why would he then leave at all?

Something doesn't make sense there. Unless OKC just goes all in for a year or two and plan to then blow it up.

[hpantazo]

He should talk to KG. Garnett openly stated he regrets not coming to Boston earlier, that he could have won a few more rings while his body was healthier. Durant has to think about that. He's not getting any younger , and he did have some long term injury issues with his foot lately.

[walker834]

I agree.  Why I'm not completely buying he won't come here this year if we can put a better team around him.

[walker834]

i also think it's possible we can by just adding a guy like Okafor or Horford plus a center.   OKC is stuck with Roberson and can't add a guy like Butler I don't think.  We have Bradley and Smart already who are better shooters and defensive players. 

We have Isaiah.   They have Ibaka and Adams.  We add Okafor or Horford we are a better situation with just that.

We'd still have a much better bench with guys like Crowder, Smart and KO plus a better future as far as picks to make additional moves or just get Butler now.

We really should have drafted Adams over KO probably but other than that.

[walker834]

Isaiah recruited Horford at the allstar game.  He recruited Butler at the lottery. We add those 2 guys, we have our Harden, Westbrook and Ibaka.  Plus picks the next few years and a better bench.  Why wouldn't Durant just come here?  OKC can't match that.

[Lucky17]

As covered extremely well here by saltlover, it's in Durant's best financial interests to sign a new contract that allows him to opt out next year, and then either reup with OKC or seek greener pastures.

I imagine he'll remain in OKC under contract next season, and then reevaluate. Westbrook will also be a free agent after next season.

[walker834]

So what are we going to do?  Sign Horford this offseason and draft Bender.  Make a deal for Butler next offseason and sign  Durant?

This year

Isaiah/Rozier
Bradley/Smart
Crowder
KO/Bender
Horford/Amir

Next year

Isaiah/Rozier
Butler/Smart or Bradley
Durant/Crowder
Bender/KO
Horford/Mickey

[Lucky17]

So what are we going to do? 

My guess: acquire talent to improve the roster, while also trying to maintain financial flexibility for the following offseason.

[walker834]

Durant is coming here.

He just said something along the lines of "he doesn't know and he loves his teammates and playing there but coaching and a good environment is what is important.  Boston might play me differently, or even a team like Golden State or Philly. "

[GryphMinuteMan]

Everyone keeps saying that he'll make the most money and have a great shot of winning a title if he stays in OKC. What if he doesn't want to live in a 3rd class city that is OKC or what if he doesn't want to play with Westbrook anymore? His brand and endorsements could sky rocket if he goes to a larger market. Let's be honest, although that city gets good crowds (and why shouldn't they with that team), they really shouldn't have a professional sports team. It's seriously ridiculous that the dump of a city has a team and Seattle does not.

[Lucky17]

Durant is coming here.

He just said something along the lines of "he doesn't know and he loves his teammates and playing there but coaching and a good environment is what is important.  Boston might play me differently, or even a team like Golden State or Philly. "

Source? I can't believe Durant would actually say something like the bolded part.

[jpotter33]

Durant is coming here.

He just said something along the lines of "he doesn't know and he loves his teammates and playing there but coaching and a good environment is what is important.  Boston might play me differently, or even a team like Golden State or Philly. "

Where are you getting this from?

[Lucky17]

Everyone keeps saying that he'll make the most money and have a great shot of winning a title if he stays in OKC. What if he doesn't want to live in a 3rd class city that is OKC or what if he doesn't want to play with Westbrook anymore? His brand and endorsements could sky rocket if he goes to a larger market. Let's be honest, although that city gets good crowds (and why shouldn't they with that team), they really shouldn't have a professional sports team. It's seriously ridiculous that the dump of a city has a team and Seattle does not.

What if he actually likes OKC, and playing with Westbrook?

[GryphMinuteMan]

Everyone keeps saying that he'll make the most money and have a great shot of winning a title if he stays in OKC. What if he doesn't want to live in a 3rd class city that is OKC or what if he doesn't want to play with Westbrook anymore? His brand and endorsements could sky rocket if he goes to a larger market. Let's be honest, although that city gets good crowds (and why shouldn't they with that team), they really shouldn't have a professional sports team. It's seriously ridiculous that the dump of a city has a team and Seattle does not.

What if he actually likes OKC, and playing with Westbrook?

That could be true and it's what most people are assuming. I'm just saying he could be tired of it and not want to waste more of his prime years there. It's entirely possible.

[jpotter33]

Everyone keeps saying that he'll make the most money and have a great shot of winning a title if he stays in OKC. What if he doesn't want to live in a 3rd class city that is OKC or what if he doesn't want to play with Westbrook anymore? His brand and endorsements could sky rocket if he goes to a larger market. Let's be honest, although that city gets good crowds (and why shouldn't they with that team), they really shouldn't have a professional sports team. It's seriously ridiculous that the dump of a city has a team and Seattle does not.

What if he actually likes OKC, and playing with Westbrook?

Eh, I think Durant is a smart guy and knows that Westbrook isn't an ideal part of a supporting cast for him. A team like Boston could very well use Durant to take much more advantage of his abilities.

Granted, with that being said, he still might "like" playing with Westbrook due to them being close friends, and that could actually make him stay. Though I still don't see Westbrook staying in OKC long term. He has LA written all over him.