Should OKC Thunder Star Kevin Durant Play Overseas?

Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant is the latest NBA player to consider playing overseas this year if the lockout eliminates or shortens the 2011-12 season, and for Durant going overseas is a smart move on many levels.

According to ESPN, Durant is "50-50" about playing overseas, but is definitely considering his options while working on his game this summer.

For a player like Durant, or any young player for that matter, losing a season of development and learning can be hurtful in your growth as a player.

Playing overseas this winter if the NBA season is cancelled will allow Durant to face good competition and work on the parts of his game that need improving, such as defense and rebounding.

The worry for Thunder fans is that he may get hurt and thus damage his ability to help the Thunder in the future, but Durant has shown tremendous durability throughout his brief professional career.

Like Kobe Bryant, Durant has a passion and love for the game too great to allow him to play no competitive basketball this winter.

If there were no NBA season and playing overseas wasn't an option, Durant would surely join some kind of local men's league. The man will not be denied the chance to play basketball; he loves the game way too much.

There are actually benefits of playing overseas relating to becoming a better leader for Durant.

The European game is based more on teamwork and defense than the NBA game is, and Durant could learn some valuable lessons and leadership skills from playing abroad.

Durant showed signs of becoming more vocal and assertive as a leader on the court this past season for OKC, but he still needs to become a more aggressive kind of presence.

Another reason for Durant to consider playing overseas next year is to grow his brand as a marketable basketball player.

With Kobe Bryant's popularity not going to last forever as he's entering the twilight of his career, Durant could easily take over as the NBA's most marketable player overseas.

Durant has the personality traits to be that guy, he's nice, does charitable work, is successful on the court and just has that likable feeling that is absent from LeBron James.

Kevin Durant has nothing to lose from going overseas this winter if the NBA lockout situation does not improve.

He can improve his game, market his brand and learn valuable lessons about defense and playing as a team.

Durant is a basketball fanatic, and there's no way he won't play somewhere this season if the NBA issues aren't resolved.

Nicholas Goss is an NBA and Oklahoma City Thunder featured columnist at Bleacher Report, follow him on Twitter for NBA/Thunder news. Follow @NicholasGoss35