The Lakers reportedly still believe that the top 2016 NBA free agency target Kevin Durant will give them a meeting despite evidence to the contrary
What started out as hope for the Los Angeles Lakers in regards to potentially signing the biggest and best player available in 2016 NBA free agency, Kevin Durant, has quickly dissipated as the picture has started to be painted on the open market. Given all of the recent reports, it’s looked like the Lakers won’t have a shot in hell at signing Durant.
Apparently nobody told the Lakers that though.
On Tuesday night, Chris Broussard of ESPN reported that there is still hope within the Lakers organization that they will be able to land a meeting with the Oklahoma City Thunder forward.
Though Durant has already promised meetings to many teams—including the Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, and many others—that don’t include the Lakers, LA believes that they’ll be able to score a sitdown when they’re able to start negotiating on July 1.
If you’re looking at the front office as a fan, you at least want them to have this type of mentality and maintain a confident front. That’s the right kind of demeanor that leads to organizational success.
However, it’s still just a pipe dream that the Lakers are going to land Durant and that they are even going to meet with him at this point. If the Lakers had a legitimate shot at landing KD or even at getting a meeting, why would the Thunder forward not include him as part of the initial group he’s ready to have talks with?
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The good news for the Lakers, though, is that this 2016 free agency class doesn’t begin and end with Durant. Yes, he’s by far the biggest fish in the pond. However, finding the right kind of fish and putting them in the LA pond can still help the franchise be a predator in the NBA waters sooner rather than later.