Why Oklahoma City Thunder Shouldn't Be Sweating Kevin Durant's Free Agency
The Kevin Durant sweepstakes is 15 months away, but the Oklahoma City Thunder shouldn't panic over the reigning MVP potentially skipping town. While a lot can change between now and next summer, staying with the Thunder remains the star forward's best chance at winning that elusive NBA title.
Typically, this time of year is spent musing on Durant's statistical achievements and how he will lead OKC to another spirited postseason run. Unfortunately, numerous foot surgeries cut KD's 2014-15 campaign short, and with no recent play to talk about, attention has shifted to his future with the Thunder.
In the summer of 2016, Durant will headline a loaded free-agent class that Chris Bernucca of SheridanHoops.com billed as the "best ever." Beyond KD, the list of stars set to hit the open market includes Joakim Noah and Al Horford. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Kevin Love could all make themselves available as well, assuming they don't opt out of their respective contracts this summer.
Like James in 2010, the lack of a championship ring on Durant's finger has fueled speculation that the 26-year-old could skip town to a team better equipped to give him what he longs for. Every team, from big-market franchises like the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers to Durant's hometown Washington Wizards, will be stacking its chips to make a run at the game's best pure scorer.
However, Durant hasn't expressed a desire to play elsewhere and, in a recent interview with Revolt TV, reaffirmed his love for Oklahoma City:
"I love playing for Oklahoma City, man. There's just a certain level of pride that I have when I play with that Oklahoma City on my chest. So that's the only thing I'm focused on. Everybody knows that I represent where I come from that no matter where I play at, no matter what arena. But I'm just focused on playing with Oklahoma City. It feels like home now. That's where I am.
"
While Durant went on to say, "You never know what the future holds," he also considers himself "one of those guys that would love to stick it out with one team my whole career." The Thunder front office can sleep well knowing they've built a perennial contender and have been one of the most successful franchises in basketball since 2009-10.
| 1. San Antonio Spurs | 334 |
| 2. Oklahoma City Thunder | 313 |
| 3. Miami Heat | 306 |
| 4. Chicago Bulls | 293 |
| 5. Memphis Grizzlies | 286 |
| 6. Dallas Mavericks | 285 |
| 7. Atlanta Hawks | 278 |
| 8. Houston Rockets | 271 |
| 9. Los Angeles Clippers | 267 |
| 10. Portland Trail Blazers | 264 |
Those are claims that not many other teams can make.
Dissecting the Competition
Next summer, 29 other franchises will be putting together their best sales pitch to convince Durant that they are the best place for him. In reality, only a handful of teams can make the four-time scoring champion both a wealthy man and a potential champion.
What about the Knicks or Lakers?
Both teams are in the midst of the worst seasons in their respective franchise's history. While the bright lights of the big city could be appealing, both rosters are so thin on talent that another marquee free agent or two would have to join Durant to turn either club into a contender.
Also, in his interview with Revolt TV, Durant made a notable comparison between fans in big cities versus the commitment of the Thunder's supporters.
"It's beautiful because they [Thunder fans] don't take us for granted. You know, I go to big cities and play and some teams aren't that good in the big cities. You hear their fans booing or talking about the players or not coming to the games. Here [in OKC], no matter what, we lost 20 in a row, and every game was packed out. They booed us one time, and we deserved it.
"
What about going back home to Washington, D.C.?
The Wizards have a tantalizing young core led by the backcourt duo of 24-year-old John Wall and 21-year-old Bradley Beal. By adding its native son in Durant, the nation's capital would have a formidable trio that could contend for years. Clearly, Wall has already given this idea some thought.
"To be with one of the top two best players in the league, in my opinion, who can score at will and do whatever he wants (would be great)," Wall told Sam Amick of USA Today last July. "You could have a Big Three with me, him and Brad (Beal), and I feel like that's what you need to win a championship now is a Big Three. It'd be great to have him back home."
Durant is already a part of a Big Three in Oklahoma City. Russell Westbrook has emerged as an MVP candidate this season, as he's carried the club in Durant's absence. Serge Ibaka is one of the league's premier shot-blockers and has become proficient behind the arc over the past two seasons.
As the chart below shows, both duos have been productive throughout their respective careers. (Note: The chart doesn't include Ibaka's total blocked shots, a mark in which he led the league for four straight years coming into this season.)
| Name | Field-Goal Percentage | Three-Point Percentage | Points Per Game | Rebounds Per Game | Assists Per Game |
| Wall | 43.1 | 30.6 | 17.6 | 4.4 | 8.7 |
| Beal | 42.0 | 40.1 | 15.5 | 3.8 | 3.0 |
| Westbrook | 43.0 | 30.3 | 21.0 | 5.2 | 7.1 |
| Ibaka | 53.3 | 37.2 | 11.4 | 7.5 | 0.5 |
In any case, Durant starting over somewhere else means exactly that: starting over. He would have to develop chemistry with new teammates, adjust to another coach and embrace playing in a different city. As impressive as James' four-year run with the Miami Heat was, he didn't fully adjust to his surroundings until his second season in South Beach.
Durant will be 28 years old at the start of the 2016-17 season. Does he really have a year to waste getting acclimated to an uncertain future elsewhere?
What Oklahoma City Has to Offer
Durant already has it pretty good in Oklahoma City. Since the 2009-10 season, only the San Antonio Spurs have won more regular-season games than the Thunder. OKC has also made it to three Western Conference Finals in the last four years, and had Westbrook not torn his meniscus in the opening round of the 2013 playoffs, the Thunder could have been four-for-four in that regard.
There's also the rest of the roster to discuss.
Westbrook has made huge strides toward being a more mature leader, and while his shot selection can be tough to watch at times, the team wouldn't be fighting for a playoff spot without his all-out efforts in the second half of the season.
Ibaka, much like Liam Neeson in the Taken series, is a dangerous weapon with a particular set of unique skills. Where else is Durant going to find a big man who can knock down threes at one end and routinely swat away shots at the other?
Durant also gets to finally work with an offensive-minded center in Enes Kanter, assuming the big man re-signs with Oklahoma City this summer as a restricted free agent. The arrival of Kanter came at the expense of Kendrick Perkins, with whom Durant had developed a close bond over the years and graciously bid adieu to after the trade.
The upside is that Kanter is a potential double-double machine who can take some of the scoring load and defensive attention off Durant. In 22 games with the Thunder so far, Kanter is averaging 18 points and 11.3 rebounds per game while shooting 55.6 percent from the field.
Kanter has his defensive shortcomings, as evidenced by opponents' 111.1 offensive rating when he's on the floor, but the Thunder can make up for those by pairing him with Ibaka or blossoming center Steven Adams.
Beyond that, the club has quality role players such as sharpshooter Anthony Morrow, sixth man Dion Waiters, energetic big man Mitch McGary and defensive specialist Andre Roberson to round out Durant's supporting cast.
Also, for all of the criticism head coach Scott Brooks receives for his lack of creativity on offense and inability to win a championship with an elite core, he deserves credit for keeping the team in the current playoff mix despite his three best players all missing significant time with injuries. He's also developed a bond with Durant, and the latter has come to the former's aid on numerous occasions, most recently during the All-Star break.
Lastly, as CBS Sports' Ken Berger points out, staying in Oklahoma City has lucrative advantages for Durant:
"On one hand, the Thunder will benefit from the massive influx of TV money that will hit the free-agent market at the same time Durant does in 2016. With no agreement on cap-smoothing likely to be struck between the league and the union, the Thunder stand to have more than $40 million in cap room on July 1, 2016. So not only will the Thunder be able to offer Durant a fifth year and higher annual increases, but also a TV bonus on top of that.
"
According to Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix, "several executives believe a max deal for Durant in the new TV revenue-infused market in 2016 could be worth in the neighborhood of $200 million over five years." Regardless of whether Durant's free-agent desires are about money or winning, he will be hard-pressed to find anything better than what Oklahoma City can offer in either category.
The Thunder have 15 months to prove to Kevin Durant that sticking around after next season is in his best interest, but the team has already built a pretty compelling case. They have done just about everything in their power to show him they are committed to bringing a title to Oklahoma City.
It's up to Durant to return the favor next summer.
All statistics and records are current through Thursday, April 9.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
