Kevin Durant: Top 5 Teams That Would Make Sense for Him To Be Championship Contender
NBA Teams Actively Pursue Top Free Agent Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant is an off-season restricted free agent for the first time in his career. Riding on an incredible career with an exceptional performance last season, Durant is easily the best player in free agency right now, and NBA teams are clamoring to get him.
The number of teams who are lining up to get a shot at Durant will continue to grow as free agency comes to an end. Durant will continue to do what it takes to win an NBA championship. If he ever decides to leave Oklahoma, here are five teams that could help him win that coveted NBA trophy.
1. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors are actively pursuing Kevin Durant. They were on their way to winning the NBA Championship, but then the improbable happened, as the Cavaliers went on to make history and be the first team to win the NBA Finals from being down 1-3. Golden State will definitely seek to avenge their loss next season. Their determination plus the addition of an elite player in Kevin Durant will easily make them the favorites to win back the championship.
2. Houston Rockets
It's an understatement to say that the Rockets has been active in shuffling players through trades and acquisitions over the past few seasons. That includes getting James Harden from the Thunder.
Harden, whose previous season's averages are 29.0 points, 7.5 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game, is the top offensive player for the Rockets and one of the best offensive players in the entire league. Joining his former teammate, Durant would be an incredible proposition; a chance to bring the successful offensive duo together again. They can emulate the success they had together back in 2012, reaching the NBA finals, and then some.
3. Washington Wizards.
Durant can join the amazing backcourt duo in Bradley Beal and John Wall to become a championship contending team. John Wall has been an All-Star point guard for a while now, and despite his recent injuries, he believes the subsequent surgeries have been a success.
Wall said, "It's going to be like the first time I'll be really healthy and be myself."
However, there is one particular draw that the Wizards have that other teams don't: Washington is KD's hometown.
4. Dallas Mavericks
Dirk Nowitzki has done a lot of great things for the Mavericks, being the face of the franchise since landing on the team back in 1998. But he is already 37 years old and is no longer the lynchpin to become a championship team once again.
Durant used to play for University of Texas, Austin during his college days. That could draw him to play for the Mavericks. The team can also provide him with a max contract, based on their current cap room.
5. Portland Trail Blazers
Some may argue that a Westbrook-Durant combo will no longer be as effective today as it is back in 2012. They say a team-up with star PG Damian Lillard may be a better fit. Having McCollum, Durant and Lillard on the same team will make the Blazers a shooting nightmare for other teams.
Besides, the Blazers have $35 million they can use to add a star player like Kevin Durant to their roster. The only drawback in choosing Portland is the fact that it is a relatively small market compared to Oklahoma.