Durant has Eyes on Knicks (Westbrook fallout + Lakers in Play)
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Iron Mamba
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 9:38 am    Post subject: Durant has Eyes on Knicks (Westbrook fallout + Lakers in Play)

http://bleacherreport.com/tb/dfTMm?utm_campaign=tsipad&utm_medium

Quote:
Kevin Durant has his eyes set on Knicks

The countdown to Kevin Durant’s free agency has already begun in places like New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Washington and especially Oklahoma City, where the next 18 months will fly by faster than Russell Westbrook on the break.

Phil Jackson and the Knicks have until July 1, 2016 to get their house in order and here’s something Jackson can latch onto: The Knicks are in play.

“No question about it,” says a person close to Durant. “Kevin loves Carmelo (Anthony). It could work in New York. But never rule out the Thunder.”

OKC is under the gun to return to the NBA Finals for the first time in three years and give Durant every reason to re-sign with the club long-term. GM Sam Presti is a pro-active executive, which is his greatest strength and weakness. Remember James Harden?

Presti already made one significant trade this month by acquiring Dion Waiters from the Cavs. And according to a source, Presti nearly traded Reggie Jackson to Denver this week, but the deal fell apart.

The Knicks have expressed interest in Jackson, but word coming out of the Thunder locker room is that Durant is not a big fan of the free-agent-to-be guard. And depending on whom you talk to, there are also whispers that Durant is growing increasingly frustrated with Russell Westbrook, whose style is shoot first, ask questions later.

The question for Presti and coach Scott Brooks will eventually be: continue to build around Durant and Westbrook, or trade Westbrook for a point guard more to Durant’s liking.


Durant is close to Derek Fisher, his former teammate, and admires Knicks executives Steve Mills and Allan Houston. But is that enough to get Durant to New York? The Lakers will have cap space, Dallas is a perennial contender and Washington is home.


Quote:
The Lakers have several advantages over the Knicks that make them a more appealing destination for free agents. Los Angeles has the better climate, a winning tradition, a history of signing elite stars and Kobe Bryant’s expiring contract in the summer of 2016.

Kevin Durant will be in play in two summers, absolutely. But will Durant prefer to join a breaking-down Carmelo Anthony or a Lakers team that could allow Durant to choose his running mate?

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Last edited by Iron Mamba on Sat Jan 31, 2015 9:42 am; edited 1 time in total
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CandyCanes
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 9:42 am    Post subject:

Here's a question: Is Durant really the best player on OKC, or is it really Westbrook?
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 9:44 am    Post subject:

Knicks get Durant?

Lakers get Weatbrook?

Vice-versa?
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dmorans1
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 9:45 am    Post subject:

Let the hype begin!!!
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jjangx27
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 9:46 am    Post subject:

please please please please please...

at least there isn't NO hope
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Aeneas Hunter
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 9:47 am    Post subject:

This is just speculation, and the only actual information is a vague comment from "a person close to Durant." We're going to see a lot of this over the next 18 months.
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Aeneas Hunter
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 9:50 am    Post subject:

CandyCanes wrote:
Here's a question: Is Durant really the best player on OKC, or is it really Westbrook?


Depends on what you value in a player. Most people would pick Durant, but some would argue for Westbrook. Personally, I regard Westbrook as a talented knucklehead.
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 9:50 am    Post subject:

I hope he goes to Washington
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yinoma2001
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 9:51 am    Post subject:

Aeneas Hunter wrote:
CandyCanes wrote:
Here's a question: Is Durant really the best player on OKC, or is it really Westbrook?


Depends on what you value in a player. Most people would pick Durant, but some would argue for Westbrook. Personally, I regard Westbrook as a talented knucklehead.


Westbrook in LA is far more likely than Durant in LA. We just don't have enough time and resources IMO to get a team in place that will be to Durant's liking.
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 9:51 am    Post subject:

Westbrook has not been playing very well lately. I would holdup on people who want to trade Lakers assets for him especially Randle and the top 5 pick.
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 9:56 am    Post subject:

So Durant's supposedly not a fan of both his talented PG's.

Thank God we gots Ronnie Price!
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 10:00 am    Post subject:

CandyCanes wrote:
Here's a question: Is Durant really the best player on OKC, or is it really Westbrook?


Good question. I feel Westbrook is closing the gap. Their situation reminds me of Shaq and Kobe. At first Shaq was clearly better, more dominant, more talented but with hard work, Kobe got to that level. I think the same thing is happening in OKC.


Westbrook is also much more charismatic, he belongs with the Lakers, he belongs in the Hollywood culture, he is honestly the most charismatic player since Kobe and most likely also the most hard working and most competitive. He is more like Kobe than anyone else. Guess maybe thats why I like him so much
He fits everything the Lakers are about to a tee.

Obviously, you don't say no to either of them but I do feel we have a better chance to sign Westbrook if we get an opportunity. Lakers are where he belongs and I'm sure he knows it himself.


Last edited by LakersNewEra on Thu Jan 29, 2015 10:03 am; edited 1 time in total
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 10:02 am    Post subject:

Westbrook's likelihood of being on the Lakers in 2017? Pretty certain IMO, with or without Durant.
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 10:04 am    Post subject:

i'll take durant over westbrook. durant's game will allow him to play for many many more years. i don't feel as confident about westbrook's game.

so with that said, i'll get it started and say, 'welcome to LA KD!!!'
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 10:04 am    Post subject:

CandyCanes wrote:
Here's a question: Is Durant really the best player on OKC, or is it really Westbrook?


i have the same doubt. Durant putting up the better stats that's for sure, but that does not translate into a better player than Russell.
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oldschool32
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 10:05 am    Post subject:

Don't see anything that says "Durant has eyes set on Knicks". More like wishful thinking by a few teams.
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Dave20
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 10:06 am    Post subject:

CandyCanes wrote:
Here's a question: Is Durant really the best player on OKC, or is it really Westbrook?
This is Shaq and Kobe all over again. Durant being more like Shaq and Westbrook like Kobe. I think Durant ends up with the Wizards and Westbrook with the Lakers.
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 10:11 am    Post subject:

Here we go
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 10:11 am    Post subject:

Jordan-esque wrote:
So Durant's supposedly not a fan of both his talented PG's.

Thank God we gots Ronnie Price!


Re-sign Ronnie to a 5-year contract
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yinoma2001
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 10:12 am    Post subject:

If anything OKC is the one that's screwed.

I highly doubt that Durant/Russell stay in OKC, might lose both. Will they trade them?
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 10:17 am    Post subject:

If the beef between KD and RJax is real we need to avoid him like the plague! Although I do think KD winds up in Washington

Also interesting OKC had a deal in place for RJax on already. Means he's attainable...

Maybe there's a three team to be worked out...
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 10:17 am    Post subject:

Here is a hypothetical variation on the Love - Wiggins situation of last Summer:


* D Russell progresses extremely well the rest of the college season and goes Top 3 to the Lakers.

* Durant lets the OKC FO know that he is unhappy with both Jackson and Westbrook.

* Durant suggests a Westbrook - D Russell trade to the OKC FO.


Does OKC call the Lakers about D Russell?

Do the Lakers make the trade or decide to wait a few years until Westbrook can come over as a Free Agent?
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 10:18 am    Post subject:

Wonder what OKC wanted Denver to give up in the RJax deal
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 10:19 am    Post subject:

yinoma2001 wrote:
If anything OKC is the one that's screwed.

I highly doubt that Durant/Russell stay in OKC, might lose both. Will they trade them?


Absolutely agreed.

KD/Russell/RJax. Guaranteed to lose 1 of the 3, likely will lose 2. Plausible they will lose all 3
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 10:19 am    Post subject:

yinoma2001 wrote:
If anything OKC is the one that's screwed.

I highly doubt that Durant/Russell stay in OKC, might lose both. Will they trade them?


Why would they stay with an organization that robbed them of a potential dynasty?
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