Stephen A Smith - Kevin Durant favors the Lakers if he leaves OKC

Colin Cowherd thinks it's happening...:Magic:

 

He'll be 28 next year. He'll structure the contract at his max salary for 3 years; in 3 years, once we get his Bird Rights, we'll give him a max deal at 31. So, even if we max him out, we'll have room to add another star or fill out the roster with passers and shooters.

 

:Yes::LakersRing::Trophy:

He's coming if he wants these.


I'm buying on this rumor, but lol at this coming out in training camp. Must drive players nuts.

 

I think Durant will at least consider the Lakers. If all goes well this season with Kobe I can't foresee a scenario where the Lakers aren't significantly better. Less workload and less minutes to me will equate to a much more efficient Kobe. He's not retiring if that's the case. How great would it be for someone like Durant to play with someone like Kobe who he clearly has looked up too?

I also like what the Lakers have done this offseason. Added a legit interior presence defensively in Roy Hibbert. A guy who can block and alter shots. Won't be a layup line anymore for opposing guards. Brandon Bass is a solid veteran who's been a starter in this league. Can hit the open shot. Solid rebounder. Solid defender. Tough. Great locker room guy. Lou Williams, the reigning sixth man of the year and gives us instant offense off the bench.

Then of course you have the young pups. Jordan Clarkson making the All Rookie first team. One could make the argument he would've won Rookie of the Year if he was getting significant playing time all season. Very dynamic, very athletic, very poised, and aggressive guard. Julius Randle is like a more aggressive, more physical, and better low post player version of Lamar Odom. The ability to take it coast to coast, make plays, handle the rock for a big guy, and looks to have improved his jumper. Then of course the #2 pick who I believe has a chance to be the best player of the 2015 draft. Russell has all the tools to be a great point guard in the NBA.

Durant would be a fool for not at least entertaining the idea of playing for this franchise.

 

OK what's with ^^^ the new guy with twice as many likes as posts? He's going to get the "big head"..... HA :magicsmile:


Welcome! :Beertoast:

 

Translation:

Durant: mother******! He's not supposed to know this s***. Who in my crew said something?! Great, now I'm going to have to deny everything or hear about this s*** everyday for the whole season.


SAS: You mad bro? I'm just doing my job.

 

We've seen what 27 year old Kobe could do with a bunch of scrubs. Imagine what 28 year old Durant could do with these guys. You're talking about quite possibly the most lethal scorer in the league with a blossoming young big three?
On a side note I kind of agree with what Colin says about the dynamic between WB and Durant. It'll be interesting to see how the new coach can get them to play together throughout the season. I do feel they are a legitimate contender in the west but I really don't see that team getting by the likes of Golden State, Clippers, or Memphis.

 

and of course

WWKP

Where would Kobe Play....

 

...or maybe Byron actually goes ahead and plays Kobe at the 4....

 

Glad to see more people jumping on this bandwagon. It's still a long shot, but I do think we are in the mix here.

 

As far as Stephen A, I actually believe him on this one. (At least as far as he heard this from someone). Stephen A really does seem to have some solid contacts at Roc Nation. I wouldn't be surprised at all if one of them told him this.

I'm not mad at Durant either though. He doesn't care for the media much anyway so having to deal with a bunch of questions about where he is going to play is probably already getting on his nerves.

My advice to Durant would be to end this now by forcing his way to LA.

nethumb:

 

If he did it now, we'd be forced to send assets in trade. I'm rooting for straight up signing in offseason. Not even a sign and trade.

 

YIKES!

 

1. You bring up a good point. 2. I can't believe durant is gonna be 28.

 

Agree 100%. If a trade tries to happen, most likely all three of our guys are gone. No thanks. Just wait until offseason and let the guys develope for this season. Also with this rumor up there true or not, even if Durant tries to force his way out, not likely another team tries to trade for him knowing he's likely to be gone. But I highly doubt he does this for 2 reasons. 1: Like SAS said he may be watching the young guys and see how they play and how good they can be throughout the season. And 2: If he tries to force a trade, the team would have to be gutted just to get him. That wouldn't be an ideal situation for him if he wants to compete.

 

Stephen A Smith · @stephenasmith

Is this really your argument Stephen A? The reason KD gets universal praise is because he is a remarkably gifted player the kind we only see a few of a decade. The fact that you also correctly praise his gifts somehow makes everything you say legit? You sure seem to imply it with that statement. Wow do you think people are dumb.

That is not at all what you said. You said sources have told you [Kevin] Durant’s preferred landing spot is the Los Angeles Lakers if he does not re-sign with the [Oklahoma City] Thunder next summer. Do you realize people can actually go back and read what you said?

He (KD) in turn has every right to respond to things said about him. Many would consider KD a more credible source on all things KD than you Stephen :O
It really is no surprise why this guy has so little respect. The fact they have to pair him with that "I played high school ball" idiot Skip Bayless is so he appears at least a little less full of it.

 

If there's any truth to this (hell, even if it turns out there isn't), the Lakers FO better be working on our pitch TODAY. If we give him the standard "Melo," the Jim Buss era will be on borrowed time.

 

Randle a better LO lol. Call me when he's the best rebounder on the team and dropping 5+ assist games right and left. How soon we forget how special LO was. Agree with most of the rest of what you said.