3 reasons why the Los Angeles Lakers won’t trade for Kevin Durant

Apr 23, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) takes a three point shot over Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) in the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) takes a three point shot over Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) in the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
3 of 4
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

2. It would hurt both LeBron James and Kevin Durant’s legacies

There isn’t any questioning that LeBron and Kevin Durant would work well together. LeBron’s elite ability to set up his teammates combined with Duran’s ability to shoot the basketball from anywhere on the court would quickly fill up the highlight reel.

However, the problem here is obvious depending on your perspective on the seemingly daily GOAT debate the sports world has teaming with Durant would certainly cheapen the ring they would almost undoubtedly win.

Durant has already faced a lot of heat for joining forces with the Warriors and his inability to win a championship anywhere else. If he joined LeBron it would certainly change the way his career is viewed.

For LeBron, it would simply increase the criticism he receives on a daily basis. There is a clear difference between winning a ring leading a great roster as the best player and joining forces with another top-three player to become a team that would be unbeatable if healthy.

The rest of the roster would be almost irrelevant with Durant and James both on the floor. It would get the Lakers but it would be viewed differently and Durant and James would have to deal with the fallout it would create in the legacy discussion.