As the calendar inches closer and closer to July 1, the rumors surrounding Kevin Durant’s impending free agency decision are picking up steam. Late last week, Durant said that his decision will be based on basketball and winning and apparently he doesn’t see himself playing or winning in his hometown of D.C. or in Los Angeles.
For at least two seasons, it seemed like a no-brainer that KD would at least meet with the Wizards and Lakers, but a new report has surfaced that the superstar will not take a meeting with either team when the clock strikes midnight on July 1. The Knicks, meanwhile, have new hope after acquiring Derrick Rose from the Bulls.
From USA TODAY’s Sam Amick:
Despite years of speculation about Durant possibly signing with his hometown Washington Wizards or the Los Angeles Lakers, a person with knowledge of his situation told USA TODAY Sports that those two teams are not expected to land a meeting with the former MVP. The New York Knicks have earned their way onto Durant’s radar, having traded for Derrick Rose recently to create quite the combination with Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis. Yet as of now, it remains to be seen how that particular scenario will be handled. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the situation with other teams.
Barring an unforeseen change in which a meeting is granted as a way of helping a franchise save face, this development will come as quite a blow to the Lakers group that spent the past few years planning with Durant’s free agency in mind. There are other free agency fish in the sea, to be sure, but none with the star power of a Durant. As for the Wizards, they’re taking the two-track approach: patiently waiting on Durant’s call with hopes of being surprised while moving on with their non-Durant free agency plans so as not to be slowed down by a pipe dream.
