Durant Meeting (Merged)

[gift]

Manny Navarro ‏@Manny_Navarro
I'm told #Heat's meeting with Kevin Durant lasted about two hours

Tom Brady wasn't there to take up the other 2 hours I guess.

[fairweatherfan]

Given that as of last night he wasn't decided about meeting with OKC again, I think meeting with them again today is not a good sign. But who knows?

Here's my reasoning:

OKC has always been the preferred destination. He's basically set at an OKC default, and one of the other suitors would have to sway him otherwise.

Thus, to me, no final meeting with OKC would mean that no other team was able to sway him, since he was set at an OKC default anyways. Now, though, I reckon that this is a way of giving them one last chance to persuade him/match what the others team have offered in their pitches.

I could be way off, but that seems to me to be the logical way to look at the final meeting with OKC, especially if we assume that it's been the default the entire time.

I think it was just a basic courtesy to the only team he's played for.  I don't think it suggests much other than that he has plausible options.  I think you're right in that if there was no chance of leaving at this point there'd be no need for a meeting, but I don't think that eliminates much of the spectrum of preferences Durant could possibly have right now.

[jpotter33]

Manny Navarro ‏@Manny_Navarro
I'm told #Heat's meeting with Kevin Durant lasted about two hours

Anyone see anything about how it went? It does kind of worry me that we never heard anything about the Spurs meeting.

[CelticsBR]

I don't think KD wants out of OKC, but the their FO has frustrated his odds of winning a ring for a while. They lost their other very good pick selections basically because they didnt want to pay luxury taxes, but got no reasonable return for them.

[fairweatherfan]

Imagine being an OKC fan and watching your team draft 3 likely HOFers in a row, then seeing them all disappear without a single ring to show for it.  Tense times in Oklahoma no doubt.

[angryguy77]

He's meeting with okc to tell them in person he's taking his talents to Boston.


Book it.

And now turning to optimism, Durant could be the kind of guy who wants to do a face-to-face goodbye (as opposed to you know, letting the entire world know at the same time  )

That's just the logical conclusion for me at least. Like what was said above, why meet with them if you're coming back? 

Signing Horford is what's giving me the optimism. Plus, I just don't see another team with as many upsides as Boston has. GS would be a sure thing, but I can't see him going there for reasons others have stated.

[Celtic_Pride777]

Imagine being an OKC fan and watching your team draft 3 likely HOFers in a row, then seeing them all disappear without a single ring to show for it.  Tense times in Oklahoma no doubt.

True story^ Perhaps he senses some of that futility and is looking to turn a new page with a different franchise.

But it's still kinda risky taking a shot with the Celtics... if winning a championship is what Durant wants, then he'd be better off with GSW. So there must be something more to what he's looking for

[Chris22]

The Clippers appear to have taken themselves out of the running for Durant by signing Austin Rivers to a three-year, $35 million contract Saturday night. Rivers' deal eats into the Clippers' cap space, leaving them little room to sign Durant.

LOL!!!

[fairweatherfan]

Imagine being an OKC fan and watching your team draft 3 likely HOFers in a row, then seeing them all disappear without a single ring to show for it.  Tense times in Oklahoma no doubt.

True story^ Perhaps he senses some of that futility and is looking to turn a new page with a different franchise.

But it's still kinda risky taking a shot with the Celtics... if winning a championship is what Durant wants, then he'd be better off with GSW. So there must be something more to what he's looking for

Well, GS would have to gut their supporting cast to get Durant there.  We don't, and have the assets to even add a few more quality pieces.  Anything under 73 wins in GS will produce a rash of breathless "is Durant hurting the Warriors' chemistry???" stories that wouldn't die until they got a ring, and even then they could still argue Durant didn't help much since they already won without him.

There's also the factor of being in the East - signing with any of OKC/GS/SA/LAC means having to get through 2 of the other 3 to reach the finals.  Here it's pretty much just knock out LeBron's team and it's smooth sailing.

[angryguy77]

Imagine being an OKC fan and watching your team draft 3 likely HOFers in a row, then seeing them all disappear without a single ring to show for it.  Tense times in Oklahoma no doubt.

True story^ Perhaps he senses some of that futility and is looking to turn a new page with a different franchise.

But it's still kinda risky taking a shot with the Celtics... if winning a championship is what Durant wants, then he'd be better off with GSW. So there must be something more to what he's looking for

Well, GS would have to gut their supporting cast to get Durant there.  We don't, and have the assets to even add a few more quality pieces.  Anything under 73 wins in GS will produce a rash of breathless "is Durant hurting the Warriors' chemistry???" stories that wouldn't die until they got a ring, and even then they could still argue Durant didn't help much since they already won without him.

There's also the factor of being in the East - signing with any of OKC/GS/SA/LAC means having to get through 2 of the other 3 to reach the finals.  Here it's pretty much just knock out LeBron's team and it's smooth sailing.

Speaking of leroid, how fantastic would it be to yet again keep him out of the finals?

[CelticsBR]

Imagine being an OKC fan and watching your team draft 3 likely HOFers in a row, then seeing them all disappear without a single ring to show for it.  Tense times in Oklahoma no doubt.

Their draft history is very good.

Durant, Westbrook, Harden, Ibaka, Jackson, Bledsoe, Pondexter, Adams, Baby Davis. Apart from the top picks, they have been able to find talent all around the draft.

[jpotter33]

Imagine being an OKC fan and watching your team draft 3 likely HOFers in a row, then seeing them all disappear without a single ring to show for it.  Tense times in Oklahoma no doubt.

True story^ Perhaps he senses some of that futility and is looking to turn a new page with a different franchise.

But it's still kinda risky taking a shot with the Celtics... if winning a championship is what Durant wants, then he'd be better off with GSW. So there must be something more to what he's looking for

There's just too much baggage with going to GS that makes it a non-option to me. I mean, Lebron wasn't nearly as hated as he was pre-Miami/The Decision, and I think it'd be inevitable that KD's reputation and legacy would take a hit if he went there.

Winning is certainly important, but he's not just going to ride the coattails of someone else to get there and be the number two guy doing it. That just doesn't seem to be in line with KD's character.

And after Horford's decision last night where he turned down more money and staying home for a better basketball environment and chance at winning, which is totally in line with his character/personality, we can't focus enough on what his character/personality would suggest he's going to do.

[TwinTower14]

What's the point of meeting with OKC again? Nothing has changed for them. Maybe to tell them in person he is leaving?

[jpotter33]

Imagine being an OKC fan and watching your team draft 3 likely HOFers in a row, then seeing them all disappear without a single ring to show for it.  Tense times in Oklahoma no doubt.

True story^ Perhaps he senses some of that futility and is looking to turn a new page with a different franchise.

But it's still kinda risky taking a shot with the Celtics... if winning a championship is what Durant wants, then he'd be better off with GSW. So there must be something more to what he's looking for

Well, GS would have to gut their supporting cast to get Durant there.  We don't, and have the assets to even add a few more quality pieces.  Anything under 73 wins in GS will produce a rash of breathless "is Durant hurting the Warriors' chemistry???" stories that wouldn't die until they got a ring, and even then they could still argue Durant didn't help much since they already won without him.

There's also the factor of being in the East - signing with any of OKC/GS/SA/LAC means having to get through 2 of the other 3 to reach the finals.  Here it's pretty much just knock out LeBron's team and it's smooth sailing.

Speaking of leroid, how fantastic would it be to yet again keep him out of the finals?

I mean, other than 2009 Orlando, it legitimately only has been a Celtics' Big 3 to keep him from the Finals. It'd only be right if we did it once again with a new Big 3!

[jpotter33]

What's the point of meeting with OKC again? Nothing has changed for them. Maybe to tell them in person he is leaving?

I mean, at this point there's not really much they can do. There's hardly any more quality free agents out there, and they don't really have any assets anymore to upgrade their roster via trade that makes sense.

It must just be one more time for the Thunder to try and pitch him on their long-term plans, which will definitely pale in comparison to a place like Boston. But I wouldn't doubt that he wants to tell them face to face either way that he decides.