Sam Presti Comments on Kevin Durant's Future with Thunder

There is plenty of uncertainty surrounding the Oklahoma City Thunder as they head into the 2015-16 season with championship aspirations. This much is clear, though—general manager Sam Presti wants to keep superstar Kevin Durant around for more than just this season.

Durant is entering the final campaign of his five-year extension he signed in 2010, and Presti commented on the former Texas Longhorn's impending free agency, per Royce Young of ESPN.com:

That is the optimistic view Thunder fans are likely hoping to hear this offseason, although it is easy to assume any team with the financial capabilities to sign Durant will be interested.   

How this season unfolds with new coach Billy Donovan leading the way and Durant bouncing back from an injury-plagued campaign could also shape the superstar’s mindset. It is no wonder Oklahoma City wants him there long-term, though, considering he was the 2013-14 MVP, the 2007-08 Rookie of the Year and counts six All-Star games and five appearances on the first-team All-NBA on his resume.

Durant led the Thunder to the 2012 NBA Finals, but they ultimately lost to LeBron James and the Miami Heat. James Harden was also on that Oklahoma City team, but the Thunder traded him to the Houston Rockets in an effort to create financial flexibility for the future.

That past financial approach with Harden is part of the reason so many Thunder fans are fearful Durant will sign elsewhere. Oklahoma City will certainly need to pony up plenty of cash to keep one of the game’s preeminent stars in place.

It is important to point out Harden was not the MVP candidate and scoring machine he is now back when the Thunder traded him. He also struggled in those NBA Finals and was overshadowed by Durant and Russell Westbrook. Trading him at the time was far different than the eventual decision on whether to keep Durant.

The core is in place with Westbrook, Durant and Serge Ibaka for Oklahoma City to challenge for a title every season if it stays healthy. All three are 26 years old, although each dealt with various injuries throughout the 2014-15 campaign.

Durant underwent three surgeries on his right foot last season. Foot injuries are concerning for anyone in the NBA, especially a taller player like the 6’9” Durant who puts extra force on his lower body whenever he lifts to arch jumpers or attack the rim.

Health concerns or not, it appears the plan is to keep Durant as the main piece in Oklahoma City for the long haul. If he and his teammates can remain healthy, an NBA championship will likely follow in the near future.