You said opt in, then you said verbally commit. Both of those would be...unwise, to say the least. As for ring-chasing vets... They always wait for the big dominoes to fall. This isn't new. They'll wait on KD. KD has zero reason to tip his hand. He controls the market.
Wait? Why would it be unwise to commit now or on the first day of FA? After all, we all hear that it is a no brainer for him to opt in 1+1. So why should he wait to be courted by 7 teams before doing that? How does that not hurt OKC? Also, that's not true that vets always wait, if GSW loses players do you think that vet is really going to wait around for Durant or go sign with GSW, or Cleveland, or SA? All the while Durant is being courted...
You don't have to believe Marc Stein because you can work out what the rational thing for Durant is to do without any inside information. * He'll make this max this season. * His max would be even higher if he signed it next season. * The Thunder is a contender. * There are a couple of teams -- Warriors, Spurs, Cavs -- that would be superteams with Durant. So: 1. He should consider Warriors, Spurs and Cavs and the prospect of forming a superteam this offseason. As good a situation as he may have in the Thunder, he could be part of something special. 2. But, who knows if that'd work. You need to talk to those teams come July to get a feel for whether it's smart. You want them to know you'd consider signing on, but you don't want to burn bridges with the Thunder if it doesn't look like it'll work. So, don't say anything. 3. Those other suitors -- the Rockets, Mavs, Knicks, whatever -- may have their good points, but they have to bring something pretty special to the table to believe one of them can be a superteam. Maybe you talk to them since you're talking anyway, but it's a flyer at best. 4. And, finally, if you stay put on the Thunder you can get another crack at this next year with a 2-year deal with option. You maximize your money though carry some injury risk, and you get another chance to see if there is a fit for some kind of superteam. In regards to the Rockets, that gives them 1 year to stage a very attractive situation to pitch to Durant, assuming he stays put. So, I'd court Durant just so he can feel the love, but spend my effort on reloading the team (while leaving a 2017 slot for KD) so we can make a more attractive pitch then. That's a tall order -- it probably means making yourself top-4 in the West again, just to have a serious conversation with him.
[Dudley] Don't see Durant to D.C. I'm glad we're starting the elimination process. 2 teams down, 28 to go!
Harden and Durant guarantees us at least the WCF IMO. But do we make it out of West? That would be Durant's dilemma.
You can be credible, have credible information, and be wrong. DD, you are too smart to play into these dumb games to assert your agenda.
Naw man **** rational thinking yo! Durant to Houston him an harden shared a urinal and Beasley held their bags once. Done deal.
One thing that can ruin point 1 is Durant's own pride and if he wants to just latch on to something that is already special instead of creating something on his own. Which we don't know. If Durant REALLY wants to win a championship then he'll sign with the Warriors, no doubt. But his own pride can keep him in OKC or drive him elsewhere. You can't just rule out Durant's feelings on that. He may not want to be considered as someone just hanging on and ring chasing. If he joins the warriors in this case you think he'd ever win another MVP award? Everything he does adds to Curry's legacy and not his own. This is a possibility. Sometimes it's not about just winning a championship ring, sometimes it's about being the best player on the team that wins a championship. As for the Max and money thing, I don't think it will play too much into his decision. He's a global star, he is. He can sign a one year option deal with any team he pleases.
Yeah, NBA players don't want to play with Harden. I mean, Charles Barkley said it, so it must be true. But, in an interview a couple of years ago, Durant called Harden the best guard in the league. (http://grantland.com/the-triangle/video-kevin-durant-and-james-harden-miss-playing-together/) And, just today: <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Def not! He's a top 5 scorer in the league.He has vision and knows how to make the right play. I could play with him <a href="https://t.co/l4Wl8QFPTj">https://t.co/l4Wl8QFPTj</a></p>— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) <a href="https://twitter.com/JaredDudley619/status/741320560555130880">June 10, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Guys - people aren't talking smack about Stein because we're in denial that Durant is staying with OKC. It's because Stein (a Dallas rep) targeted Houston, which seems pretty arbitrary. So take it easy, people can think rationally and still bag on Marc Stein. I for one encourage it.
What you have to remember, though, is guys on the Clutchfans know more about James Harden that NBA players do.
"Okay so heres the deal guys. Basically, you, James, go recruit KD. And when you get back let me know what he said" "ight fam u got some dolla billz I can have cuz u know I need em for uhh... uuuhhh uh vending machines" ______________________________ "yo man, he said there ain't no way." ... "well, here's my only other plan.... try again James"
We'll see what Durant says after Dwight opts out. The key being what Durant says, not "league sources".
Yep pretty sure KD still remembers the time when he and wb carried harens lazy ass over the mavs lakers and spurs all the way to the finals and how great its has been in okc without that bum
