Durant Meeting (Merged)

[meangreenmachine]

Honestly I think his two best choices are Boston and Golden State... and a lot of people are going to lose respect for him and root against his team if he joins Golden State.  He'll also be causing a hostile situation with Nike.  I mean, maybe if he can get out of his Nike deal and sign with Under Armour that makes more sense.   But Nike isn't going to be pleased with him being Steph's sidekick.  And fans aren't going to respect someone so anti-competitive that he joins the 73 win team that eliminated him from the playoffs to add to Steph and Klay's championship total.  That's just lame.

to be fair though, when LBJ went to Miami, it was the same story, he won 2 championships, was lame BUT he came back to cleveland and won so now no one says anything. Say he could do the same...

BUT anyway we want him in GREEN!:D

It will be [dang] fun XD

Right, and LeBron was hated for it.  Difference was, Wade was a bit past his prime at that point.  Wade and Bosh quickly became LeBron's sidekicks.  Whereas, Steph is coming off an MVP season and the team is coming off 73 wins and almost back-to-back titles.  It wouldn't be Durant's team.  It's Steph's.   Nobody will look at the titles as Durants.  It's a bad move.

Yeah, I am not even worried about GSW. That is clearly Steph's team and if Durant goes there, he is basically saying, "I am the new Scottie Pippen, not the new Michael Jordan." How could the guy possibly do that to his legacy and brand? No way, I say. He'll either stick with OKC or join us.

[LGC88]

Yeah, I am not even worried about GSW. That is clearly Steph's team and if Durant goes there, he is basically saying, "I am the new Scottie Pippen, not the new Michael Jordan." How could the guy possibly do that to his legacy and brand? No way, I say. He'll either stick with OKC or join us.

Yes, this is pretty much obvious.
And all those reporters and analyst that still don't see how Boston is in the mix clearly understand nothing about basketball.

[trickybilly]

Suspense is actually killing me. Sign anywhere, just not GSW. (P.S. Try Boston)

1000th post. Some sort of Durant omen

[meangreenmachine]

Another thing that really makes me think Durant is coming to Boston: Not only was Horford initially recruited to OKC by Durant's agent, but Horford won two college basketball national championships at Florida with Billy Donovan yet Horford still chose us over OKC, immediately after we finished meeting with Durant.

I think Durant was thinking OKC but changed his mind to Boston after speaking with Danny, Brady and Co.

Horford and Durant both have a chip on their shoulder from the 2007 NBA Draft. Not only do they overcome being passed over for the first overall pick, but together they win a championship. Very fitting that their careers would be so intertwined.

[Drucci]

On one hand I feel like Durant will stay with OKC for one year because it's the "safest" move. On the other, it just makes too much sense for him to come here right now and all signs point to his interest in Boston so... I just want this suspense to end as quickly as possible today!

[LarBrd33]

The tell for me: Hearing that Durant's agent had been pitching OKC to Horford yet right after Durant finishes with the Celtics, Horford announces he's coming to Boston. My guess: Durant told Horford that he's coming to Boston if Al's coming to Boston. They agreed Al makes the announcement Saturday, Durant gives Pat Riley the respect he deserves on Sunday, and then the announcement is made on Sunday or Monday.

18, here we come! Maybe 18, 19 and 20, here we come!

Here's hoping...

You gotta watch out for Pat Riley tho...



"Truuuuussst in meeee...."

[LGC88]

Indeed, don't underestimate Pat Riley, he's a heck of a snake that can fool you in no time.
I'm sure Wade still won't get paid this contract if he stays in Miami (not that I complain, I find it's a justice for being so dirty)

[Greenbean]

The tell for me: Hearing that Durant's agent had been pitching OKC to Horford yet right after Durant finishes with the Celtics, Horford announces he's coming to Boston. My guess: Durant told Horford that he's coming to Boston if Al's coming to Boston. They agreed Al makes the announcement Saturday, Durant gives Pat Riley the respect he deserves on Sunday, and then the announcement is made on Sunday or Monday.

18, here we come! Maybe 18, 19 and 20, here we come!

Here's hoping...

You gotta watch out for Pat Riley tho...

Yup. Riley always seems to get his guy. I mean why does Miami get to go last anyway?

Talent wise, theyd have the Celtics beat, its South beach, and it undoubtedly would be KDs team.

All that being said, its not a basketball/sports town and that seems to matter to Durant.

He has a really tough decision to make. Every team has clear pros and cons.

I mean weve heard next to nothing on the Spurs meeting and youre talking about probably the most well run organisation in sports over the last 2 decades.

[LarBrd33]

The tell for me: Hearing that Durant's agent had been pitching OKC to Horford yet right after Durant finishes with the Celtics, Horford announces he's coming to Boston. My guess: Durant told Horford that he's coming to Boston if Al's coming to Boston. They agreed Al makes the announcement Saturday, Durant gives Pat Riley the respect he deserves on Sunday, and then the announcement is made on Sunday or Monday.

18, here we come! Maybe 18, 19 and 20, here we come!

Here's hoping...

You gotta watch out for Pat Riley tho...

Yup. Riley always seems to get his guy. I mean why does Miami get to go last anyway?

Talent wise, theyd have the Celtics beat, its South beach, and it undoubtedly would be KDs team.

All that being said, its not a basketball/sports town and that seems to matter to Durant.

He has a really tough decision to make. Every team has clear pros and cons.

I mean weve heard next to nothing on the Spurs meeting and youre talking about probably the most well run organisation in sports over the last 2 decades.

I'm not too worried about the Heat.  Do they even have enough cap space to sign Wade now that they have Whiteside? 

They have 20 million in cap space left.  Are Wade and Durant gonna split it?  10 mil each?   Or are they going to stretch Bosh's contract and trade Dragic?

I just can't see Durant taking LeBron's sloppy seconds.  LeBron left for a reason - they didn't have the supporting cast to win a title with.  The marketed it like he was going home to the Cavs because of Cleveland, but more-so it was because he had a better chance of winning with Kyrie + Love than he did with Wade + Bosh.

[gift]

So Durant is basically done meeting with teams (Miami) and says decision will be made within 24-36 hours.

That tells me he is seriously considering not going back to OKC. Otherwise I think he'd let teams know right away (like he let LAC know they are out of the running).

[meangreenmachine]

The tell for me: Hearing that Durant's agent had been pitching OKC to Horford yet right after Durant finishes with the Celtics, Horford announces he's coming to Boston. My guess: Durant told Horford that he's coming to Boston if Al's coming to Boston. They agreed Al makes the announcement Saturday, Durant gives Pat Riley the respect he deserves on Sunday, and then the announcement is made on Sunday or Monday.

18, here we come! Maybe 18, 19 and 20, here we come!

Here's hoping...

You gotta watch out for Pat Riley tho...

Yup. Riley always seems to get his guy. I mean why does Miami get to go last anyway?

Talent wise, theyd have the Celtics beat, its South beach, and it undoubtedly would be KDs team.

All that being said, its not a basketball/sports town and that seems to matter to Durant.

He has a really tough decision to make. Every team has clear pros and cons.

I mean weve heard next to nothing on the Spurs meeting and youre talking about probably the most well run organisation in sports over the last 2 decades.

I'm not too worried about the Heat.  Do they even have enough cap space to sign Wade now that they have Whiteside? 

They have 20 million in cap space left.  Are Wade and Durant gonna split it?  10 mil each?   Or are they going to stretch Bosh's contract and trade Dragic?

I just can't see Durant taking LeBron's sloppy seconds.  LeBron left for a reason - they didn't have the supporting cast to win a title with.  The marketed it like he was going home to the Cavs because of Cleveland, but more-so it was because he had a better chance of winning with Kyrie + Love than he did with Wade + Bosh.

LOL @ LeBron's sloppy seconds, but that's exactly what going to Miami would be. "OH, he's just trying to be like LeBron," everyone would say. I think Durant just wants to hear the pitch from Riley so he can experience the same thing as LeBron six years ago. I really think Miami has next to no shot, especially after we signed Horford. I would feel differently if they had considerable cap room or some sort of blockbuster trade in the works (perhaps Riley's ace in the hole?)

[Greenbean]

The tell for me: Hearing that Durant's agent had been pitching OKC to Horford yet right after Durant finishes with the Celtics, Horford announces he's coming to Boston. My guess: Durant told Horford that he's coming to Boston if Al's coming to Boston. They agreed Al makes the announcement Saturday, Durant gives Pat Riley the respect he deserves on Sunday, and then the announcement is made on Sunday or Monday.

18, here we come! Maybe 18, 19 and 20, here we come!

Here's hoping...

You gotta watch out for Pat Riley tho...

Yup. Riley always seems to get his guy. I mean why does Miami get to go last anyway?

Talent wise, theyd have the Celtics beat, its South beach, and it undoubtedly would be KDs team.

All that being said, its not a basketball/sports town and that seems to matter to Durant.

He has a really tough decision to make. Every team has clear pros and cons.

I mean weve heard next to nothing on the Spurs meeting and youre talking about probably the most well run organisation in sports over the last 2 decades.

I'm not too worried about the Heat.  Do they even have enough cap space to sign Wade now that they have Whiteside? 

They have 20 million in cap space left.  Are Wade and Durant gonna split it?  10 mil each?   Or are they going to stretch Bosh's contract and trade Dragic?

I just can't see Durant taking LeBron's sloppy seconds.  LeBron left for a reason - they didn't have the supporting cast to win a title with.  The marketed it like he was going home to the Cavs because of Cleveland, but more-so it was because he had a better chance of winning with Kyrie + Love than he did with Wade + Bosh.

I agree with all of that. All terrific points and seem to make sense.

But to your original point...its Riley. And they get to go last! Im just assuming he has figured out some master plan that none of us have considered, and will at least make it compelling for KD.

I begrudgingly respect the hell out of Riley's creativity and ability to make a vision come to life.

[mctyson]

For what it's worth, a person with connections to Horford told CBS Sports on Saturday night that rival executives assembled in Orlando for Summer League still believe that the most likely scenario for Durant is staying in Oklahoma City.

https://www.google.com/amp/www.cbssports.com/nba/news/horford-didnt-want-to-wait-on-durant-didnt-want-to-play-with-dwight/amp/?client=safari#

Sounds just like an opinion still lets pump the breaks just a little or were gonna be let down

I have said all year long it makes no sense for Durant to leave OKC now, when he can do that next year as well.

I think the only reason he would go now is the desire not to have deal with the questions on leaving for another whole season, on top of having to deal with those same questions on Westbrook. 

[LilRip]

are there any updates yet??? i'm still at the edge of my seat! It's like when you hear rumors that the prettiest girl on school has a crush on you too, but it doesn't necessarily mean she'll go with you to the dance because her on-off "ex" boyfriend just traded in his truck for a coupe.

[CelticD]

correct me if im wrong cuz i know very little about nba finance.

how can gsw sign durant? wouldnt they be in the same situation the hawks were in? they'd have to somehow offload someone (bogut?) in order to get durant somewhere near the max?

according to basketball-reference they have 80m in committed salary. if the cap is around ~94m, they'd have to get rid of someone no? and even then, seeing as how they'll likely get some salary back in a trade, could they offer durant a max?

or is the hope that durant takes a pay-cut to get on a championship contender?