Lakers Rumors: Kevin Durant Reportedly Won't Meet with LA Regarding Free Agency

The Los Angeles Lakers may be hoping to accelerate their rebuild through free agency, but if early reports are any indication, they won't be in the running to land this summer's biggest prize.  

Citing "a person with knowledge of [Kevin Durant's] situation," USA Today's Sam Amick reported the Lakers—as well as the Washington Wizards—"are not expected to" secure meetings with the four-time scoring champion. 

On Friday, The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers were all "working to solidify invitations" for recruitment sit-downs with Durant. 

Amick added the New York Knicks "have earned their way onto Durant’s radar" following the acquisition of former MVP Derrick Rose. 

Although the Lakers have historically been able to land meetings with the biggest free agents thanks to the franchise's illustrious track record, L.A.'s market size and the promise of championship contention, the landscape has shifted quite a bit. 

With Kobe Bryant enjoying retirement and the team undergoing a complete rebuild, the Lakers aren't a destination for a win-now thinker like Durant. 

And as Wojnarowski reported, "Durant’s public and private criteria for the free-agent selection process have pertained to a singular focus: the chance to win titles immediately."

The Lakers have compelling potential cornerstones in D'Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle, but there's hardly a championship-caliber foundation in place for Durant to get excited about. 

However, just because Durant isn't interested in signing with the Lakers doesn't mean other free agents will employ the same thought process. L.A. is projected to have $70.8 million in cap room—the most of any team, per Spotrac—and that coin could go to younger, more upside-laden players. 

Specifically, the Lakers "plan to aggressively pursue Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside when NBA free agency starts," according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne. 

And if the Lakers can show marked improvement throughout the 2016-17 season as they add to their core, perhaps Durant will entertain the thought of bolting for Hollywood more seriously should he re-sign with the Thunder on a one-and-one pact, as Wojnarowski reported is still the most likely scenario at this point.