Even though Kevin Durant is set to play for the Oklahoma City Thunder this season all people want to talk about with him is his impending free agency next summer. Durant will be the most sought after free agent in the NBA since LeBron James left Cleveland for Miami in 2010 and everybody wants to make a run at signing the superstar. The thought process of where Durant might sign next summer has been that he will either stay in Oklahoma City or go back home to the Washington Wizards but now it is being reported that the Los Angeles Lakers might actually be the favorites, according to Steve DelVecchio of Larry Brown Sports.
DelVecchio was reporting on what Stephen A. Smith said on ESPN's "First Take" on Tuesday morning, which he has reportedly heard from sources close to Durant.
"Regardless of how senseless it may sound, in one breath I'm hearing that if Kevin Durant doesn't stay in Oklahoma City, L.A. is his primary objective and landing spot as opposed to South Beach or even his home of Washington, D.C.," said Smith."
This is certainly an interesting turn of events if it is true at all as the Lakers were never even really considered an option for Durant in free agency considering how bad they were a year ago. Smith also said that the New York Knicks might actually stand a chance as Durant has considered teaming up with Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant in New York. That scenario seems extremely unlikely but Smith said that Phil Jackson's comments about this being Kobe Bryant's last season in L.A. only perpetuates that rumor.
Regardless of these rumors it still seems more likely than not that Durant stays with the Thunder as they are expected to compete for a championship this season while the Knicks and Lakers are likely not even playoff teams. For Lakers fans though it has to be nice to hear that the biggest free agent in half a decade is possibly seriously considering L.A.
Smith's report is purely speculation but with a whole season to get through before he finally becomes a free agent there will be plenty of speculation as to where Durant might end up. Lakers fans probably shouldn't get their hopes up about this but they can take comfort in knowing they are likely at least in the mix.
