Kevin Durant: Latest News, Rumors and Speculation Surrounding Thunder Star

Kevin Durant stands to be one of the hottest free agents in NBA history if he hits the open market in 2016, and early rumblings indicate the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers could be major contenders for his services.

Continue for updates.

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NBA Insiders Weigh in on Durant's Future

Monday, Oct. 19

Bleacher Report NBA Analysts Ric Bucher, Greg Anthony and Howard Beck spoke with Bleacher Report's Adam Lefkoe to discuss Durant's future with the Thunder:

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Lakers Reportedly Durant's 'Primary Objective'

Wednesday, Sept. 30

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith spoke on First Take Tuesday regarding Durant's future, linking the Thunder superstar to the Lakers, via Steve DelVecchio of Larry Brown Sports:

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“Regardless of how senseless it may (sound), in one breath I’m hearing that if Kevin Durant doesn’t stay in Oklahoma City, L.A. is his primary objective and landing spot as opposed to South Beach or even his home of Washington, D.C.,” Smith said.

That wasn’t the only seemingly far-fetched theory that Smith tossed out. He also said he has heard rumblings about Durant possibly teaming up with Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant with the New York Knicks. Smith thinks Phil Jackson may have been hinting at that when he recently said Kobe could play for a team other than the Lakers.

“I heard Melo, Kevin Durant, Kobe,” Smith added. “And when you take into account that Phil Jackson is on the record saying it might be Kobe’s last year in L.A.—opening the door that there are possibilities for him to go elsewhere. All I’m saying is you just never know.”

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Presti Discusses Durant's Future with Thunder

Wednesday, Sept. 23

Thunder general manager Sam Presti commented publicly today on how the team plans on convincing Durant to re-sign with Oklahoma City next summer:

Durant has played every game of his career with the franchise, including his rookie season as a member of the Seattle Supersonics before they moved to Oklahoma City. 

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Smith: Durant 'Considering' Knicks

Friday, Sept. 4

According to Smith on First Take (h/t Dan Feldman of Pro Basketball Talk), Melo has been putting the full-court press on Durant in an effort to get him to make the leap from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the New York Knicks.

"I know for a fact that Carmelo Anthony has been and will continue to recruit Kevin Durant until the cows come home," Smith said. "I'm also hearing that Kevin Durant is giving the New York Knicks consideration."

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported last year that Durant's endorsement of Knicks head coach Derek Fisher was a contributing factor in Anthony's decision to re-sign with New York.

The friendly relationship between Anthony and Durant could give the Knicks a leg up in free agency, although Zach Lowe of Grantland heard late last year that many teams were resigned to Durant either returning to OKC or joining his hometown Washington Wizards.

Rumors and speculation will continue to swirl much like they have with regard to LeBron James in recent years, but Durant hasn't shown any outward concern about his situation up to this point, according to Ben Golliver of SI.com:

The superstar missed all but 27 games last season due to a foot injury, but he is one of the premier talents in the NBA with six All-Star nods and an MVP Award to his credit.

Durant has a career scoring average of 27.3 points per game, and the Thunder figure to be title contenders in 2015-16 if he remains healthy and produces at that level.

Whichever team Durant plays for in 2016-17 will have a legitimate shot at winning it all, and while the Knicks would love to have their fortunes turned around by a generational star of his caliber, one can only assume he'll weigh every possible option before making a decision. 

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