NBA Rumors: Washington Wizards To Go ‘All-In’ To Sign Kevin Durant

With this year’s offseason still not complete, it may be too early to begin discussion about next year’s free agency class. Several quality players remain on the market, and can be had at the right price. But none of the remaining players can boast the career credentials of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant.

The 26-year-old Durant will hit the open market after next season, and will likely be courted by nearly half the league. Big market teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, and Miami Heat are expected to pursue Durant. However, according to the Washington Post, Durant’s hometown Washington Wizards will do everything in their power to bring him home.

As a native of Washington, D.C., it may help the Wizards in recruiting Durant back home. The report notes that a lot of their recent efforts have been done with the intention of having the financial means to pursue Durant. The Wizards let free agent Paul Pierce leave to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers. Additionally, all of their notable free agent signings have been mere one-year deals.

But would Durant leave his body of work with the Thunder behind? He has a 2014 NBA MVP award, one NBA Finals appearance, four scoring titles, a rookie of the year award, and more. Damion James, a close friend of Durant, tells the Washington Post that his friend will go to the team that gives him the best chance to win.

“The one thing I know about my brother is he wants to win. He’ll do whatever it takes to win. Whoever gives him the best chance to win is where he’s going to end up.”

If Durant did leave, he would leave one of the more talented and dynamic rosters behind. His fellow All-Star and Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook has developed into one of the most dangerous players around. Last season, Westbrook was a triple-doubles machine, recording 11 of them, the most in one season since Jason Kidd had 13 during the 2007-08 season.

When you factor in big man Serge Ibaka, recently re-signed Enes Kanter, and several above-average role players such as D.J. Augustin, Anthony Morrow, and Dion Waters, the Thunder roster is a force against any opponent. The Wizards do have superstar point guard John Wall, but the Wizards do not have the depth of the Thunder roster.

That is the reason why a Western Conference executive told the Washington Post that he believes Durant will stay in Oklahoma City and remain with that successful core.

“It’s difficult to imagine him leaving that situation. That team is loaded. If they can stay healthy, they’re championship favorites.”

In contrast, Wall believes that Washington is a favorable destination for all free agents, including Kevin Durant.

“Yeah, I think so. I think we’re one of those teams on the rise. You look at free agency, a lot of people want to come and play for us. The main thing is it’s going to be his decision. You got to sit back and let him make the best decision for him and his family. All we can do is sit back and just try to focus on us. Try to win as much as we can and if that can attract him to come play with us then so be it.”

Durant is firmly established in the minds of many, but he will likely want to re-establish himself in his own mind. After missing 55 games last season with a broken foot, Durant will have to come back and prove he is healthy. The lanky 6’11” Durant will also attempt to lead the Thunder back into the playoffs next season, as they missed the playoffs last season while struggling with injuries.

A successful season, a down season, injuries, victories, turmoil, and controversy — those are just a number of things that could alter Durant’s eventual decision next season. But his friend, Damion James, reiterates that Durant’s troubled foot is doing “great,” and his mission is to come back stronger than ever.

“I don’t know, man. We have to see. He has a great team out there in Oklahoma City with Russell and those guys. So we’ll see. He’s got to get through this season. He’s going to make the right decision. But he’s so focused on coming back and showing the world that he’s better than when he left since he broke his foot.”

[Image by Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images]