Lakers Report: LA One of Many Teams to Pursue Kevin Durant This Summer
By Eric Yee
This should come as no surprise to anyone, but the Los Angeles Lakers are one of the many teams expected to go hard after Kevin Durant this upcoming offseason
For years now, Lakers fans have been dreaming of the day when Kevin Durant somehow found his way to the Purple and Gold but with the recent departure of Kobe Bryant, KD’s elimination from the NBA Playoffs paired with his unrestricted free agency, if there was ever a chance for that to actually happen, it would have to be this summer.
This is why when ESPN’s Marc Stein revealed that the Lakers would be one of the many teams courting Kevin Durant this offseason it was far from breaking news. I mean, who in their right mind isn’t going after KD this offseason?
Wizards, Heat, Celtics, Rockets, Knicks, Lakers, Spurs and, yes, Warriors ... all expected to pursue Kevin Durant in free agency this summer
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 31, 2016
In addition to the Lakers, Stein threw in Durant’s hometown, Washington Wizards, the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs and the team that just crushed his title hopes, the Golden State Warriors.
Stein, however, went on to add what the majority of us sports writers believe he ultimately will do: return to Oklahoma City to play out the remainder of Russell Westbrook‘s contract, signing a two year deal with the last year being a player option.
Most insiders see the most likely scenario at present to be Kevin Durant staying in OKC on a two-year max deal with an opt-out after Year 1.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 31, 2016
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Regardless, seeing as to the Lakers’ recent share of failures in regards to the free agency front, it will be interesting to see what the front office does in attempt to lure KD from greener pastures. This is to say, will they finally learn from their mistakes or dwell in the error of their ways?
I can’t help but be reminded of an episode of the hit television show, Entourage in which an agent is attempting to win back his biggest client, pitching him what he thinks he wants to hear, when what the client really wants is the honest truth.
With this in mind, wouldn’t it be ironic if the Lakers’ changed their pitch in adjustment to LaMarcus Aldridge‘s criticism last year, only to have KD want the “LA’s market is greater than,” pitch?
Next: Does KD's Playoff Loss Affect Free Agency Decision?
Nevertheless, KD to LA seems like a longshot as of now, but then again, stranger things have happened. We’ll just have to wait until July 1 to see exactly what goes down.