A few in depth thoughts on the KD scenario
-I just don't see Durant in San Antonio. His play style doesn't seem to fit what they do, and they'd have to clear some contracts and have Manu and Duncan retire just to sign him. And I'm not sure Durant wants to play SG, which is where he'd be put.
-I could see him leaving because of Westbrook and him not playing well off each other, or because KD thinks Russell deserves to lead his own team, and knows Russell will leave if he stays in OKC because Russell wants to be an alpha dog, wherever it may be.
-Durant may not appreciate the culture in OKC, which IMO stems from Westbrook being a poor leader. KD may want to go somewhere where it'd be FUN to play basketball again.
-OKC is probably he worst place to live in the NBA. Portland will be an upgrade.
-Durant doesn't seen like the type of person to try to piggyback his way to a ring ala Lamarcus Aldridge. He wants to earn it with a team and system that fits him better. That takes out Golden State and the Spurs IMO.
-Durant won't put big city appeal over everything else. So get rid of the Knicks and Lakers as contenders for him. He wants to win in a good culture. Not lose in a bad culture.
-Stein says he won't consider the Rockets. Why? See above.
-The Cavs and Clippers won't have the cap space
-The Raptors won't have the cap space if they resign Derozen. And if Derozen leaves, the have no appeal.
-Durant won't want to follow Lebron by going to Miami to try to win a ring. He'll consider them, but Wade is getting old, Whiteside will have to leave for them to have the cap space, and Bosh may never play again. That leaves then on the outside looking in.
-He'd be great in Portland's system. Stotts will be in that meeting and I think Durant will like the ideas Stotts has for him.
-Durant loves making hip hop beats. That could have a little pull in regards to what Dame and him could do off the court with music. The marketability of those 2 as a duo on and off the court would be tantalizing. I think Durant could realize that.
-The Nike headquarters being here, that may have a little but of pull for KD from a business sense.. Maybe not.
-KD would likely become the most heavily endorsed Nike athlete in the NBA if he signed here. Having the most heavily endorsed Adidas and Nike athlete on a small market team like Portland. That'd be interesting.
-Boston has a very real chance but they already have a great legacy (I think KD would rather build one) as well as a team that isn't set up as well as Portland. If they trade for a superstar things change, but would something like Cousins/Thomas be better than Lillard/McCollum? Especially when we could still have the flexibility to sign someone like Whiteside as well?
Given this, I think the top 3 teams for KD will be Washington, Portland, and Boston. I can easily see KD signing here, shocking the league because writers and experts refused to acknowledge we had a chance, with KD enjoying the fact that he shocked everyone and changed the free agent narrative for years to come.
So yes, I think we have a chance.
