'The Herd': Durant wants to join Lakers if he leaves Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant has made no indications that he plans on leaving the Thunder when he hits free agency in 2016, but that's not going to stop the rumor mill from running rampant.
One such rumor: Durant to the Los Angeles Lakers.
FS1's Colin Cowherd said there is some truth to the rumor — first reported by ESPN's Stephen A. Smith — that Durant prefers the Lakers if he chooses to leave the Thunder. Watch his take in the video above.
"Regardless of how senseless it may (sound), in one breath I’m hearing that if Kevin Durant doesn’t stay in Oklahoma City, L.A. is his primary objective and landing spot as opposed to South Beach or even his home of Washington, D.C.," Smith said on "First Take," according to Steve DelVecchio of Larry Brown Sports.
If this is report is true, it would buck the recent trend. While the Lakers have still been getting meetings with elite stars over the past few summers, they haven't been able to sell players on a Kobe Bryant-, Byron Scott- and Jim Buss-led core.
Now, however, the Lakers have tantalizing young talent with D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson. Bryant appears to be on his way out in the next year or two. Scott struggled through a 21-61 first season coaching the Lakers. And who knows how long Buss will continue to call the shots if the Lakers keep struggling.
The Lakers have a rich tradition of winning, and someone has to take the torch from Bryant. Durant is the type of player Bryant would have no choice but to accept and respect. The two have played together on the 2008 and 2012 Olympics squads and supposedly are fond of each other.
That doesn't mean Durant is going to join L.A. But it's not far-fetched.
Durant will have the option to join basically any team next summer. The Lakers are not the only attractive alternative. The Wizards were perceived to be the biggest possibility, as they're Durant's hometown team and have a nice young core of John Wall and Bradley Beal.
Until next summer, though, it's all speculation.
