Sam Presti Comments on Kevin Durant's Impending Free Agency
Kevin Durant is set to become the NBA's most coveted free agent this summer, but Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti said Monday that the situation was not an issue this past season.
Presti credited Durant, 27, for not allowing his expiring contract to become a distraction for the Thunder, according to ESPN.com's Royce Young:
"I also think Kevin deserves a tremendous amount of credit for the way he's handled his affairs, because what it really did was it allowed our team to focus on the season and really made the season we had possible. I thought it was a tremendous example of a franchise player putting the franchise first. I thought it was also a tremendous example of leadership on his part, because we're not able to have that season unless he's handling his affairs the way that he did.
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Oklahoma City finished the regular season at 55-27 and flourished in the postseason.
Durant, along with fellow All-Star Russell Westbrook, led the Thunder to a second-round series win over a 67-win San Antonio Spurs team before coming one win short of returning to the NBA Finals for the second time in his career.
Oklahoma City provided the greatest challenge to the Golden State Warriors this season, as it held a 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference Finals.
Presti said he will give Durant time to decide on his future, per Young.
"We'll get an answer from him at the appropriate time," Presti said. "I think it really is important for him to take his time, get away from things. … He's a rational person, and he's going to work through the decision in a way that will help him do what he feels is best for him."
With Durant on virtually every team's wish list, some around the league are already publicly vying for his services.
Boston's Isaiah Thomas is among those pushing for Durant, as he told Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe:
"I just wanted the world to know, [Durant]'s who I’m trying to get. I definitely want to give him some time. I know that was a tough series and a long season for him. I wouldn’t want anyone calling me up about the biggest decision of my life right after the season’s over. So I’ll probably give him some time and casually talk to him, and then go all-in.
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John Wall, who also said he will give Durant time to recover from his playoff loss, plans to kick the tires on Durant's interest in his hometown Washington Wizards, according to the Washington Post's Scott Allen.
"I'll talk to him here and there, see how he's feeling, and if I feel like we have a shot, I’ll go ahead and throw my pitch," Wall said. "If not, he’s always going to be my big brother and a friend to me.”
Durant could leave, or he could stay with an Oklahoma City team that is already a title contender. With Westbrook, Steven Adams, Serge Ibaka and Enes Kanter in the fold, the Thunder are arguably the most talented team in basketball.
There may be intriguing opportunities elsewhere, but Durant's best option at the moment seems to be Oklahoma City.
