The Los Angeles Lakers are one of a myriad of teams with the fantasy of landing Kevin Durant now dominating the NBA offseason. Durant shocked the NBA world by requesting a trade from the Nets and perhaps setting up a historic trade considering how rare it is for a player of Durant’s caliber to hit the trade market at the peak of their powers.
While the Nets will likely lose the trade no matter where Durant lands they will certainly receive an unprecedented amount of compensation in return. While Durant to the Lakers will be speculated on the more pressing concern for Lakers fans should be where KD can’t land.
The Western Conference remains an open race with free agency moves and the lack of a clear super team keeping the path for the Lakers open. The Nets and Durant can change all of that with one trade that could shake the power balance in the league.
We have watched this happen before with Durant leaving the Thunder to join an already championship-caliber Warriors team. It wouldn’t be at all shocking to see Durant yet again choose a team already competing for a championship.
The one major difference this time is whoever does acquire Durant is almost assuredly going to have to destroy their future in return for a chance to win right now.
Either way, there are nightmare teams for the Los Angeles Lakers.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at three teams who are in a position to acquire Durant and could run the Lakers’ title hopes.