Where Should KD Play in 2016-2017?

[Jordan]

I think he's a frustrating player. He's 6-11 and has no post game at all.

I tend to agree a bit. I think he's super talented and definitely a great player.

But he's really not improved that much since entering the league.

Barkley says this is a lot, he doesn't ever get easy shots. Doesn't seem to know how to.

He could be so much better than what he is. I think he could be in that LeBron territory as a great too.

I don't think he'll ever sniff it though.

I don't think Brooks gets enough criticism for halting KD's progress for what looks like eternity. When the team had Westbrook, Harden, and Ibaka, Brooks should've made sure KD didn't take those shots. Rather then doing that, though, he encouraged Durant to take difficult shots.

He is absolutely a top-3 talent in the NBA right now. But he's never had a coach that encouraged him to develop necessary aspects of his game, and consequently, he has not learned to play as part of a team.

My theory is let him stay in OKC, let him go to Washington, or Boston, or LAC, or GSW, because barring some miracle, he will pretty much remain the same player he always has been. I remember listening to a Lowe Post podcast last week and they were debating who will end their career with more championships: KD or Westbrook. My answer is, ultimately, Westbrook can play team basketball and will find himself in a situation where it is encouraged. At that point he'll have a chance to win it all. I can't envision that for KD.

Just my thoughts, though. I like KD as a guy and hope he can figure it out.

 

[Dupp]

Why not? What have they accomplished together?

They haven't won any titles sure but that doesn't mean they should break up.
They're two top 5 players, it's the rest of the roster that sucks ( ibaka has declined a lot). With the rising cap they might be able to put together a real good team again in the next couple of years.
Easier to build around him and Westbrook than most other options.

People also forget three years straight when they were at their best they had injuries that killed their title chances.

 

[czvo]

I don't think Brooks gets enough criticism for halting KD's progress for what looks like eternity. When the team had Westbrook, Harden, and Ibaka, Brooks should've made sure KD didn't take those shots. Rather then doing that, though, he encouraged Durant to take difficult shots.

He is absolutely a top-3 talent in the NBA right now. But he's never had a coach that encouraged him to develop necessary aspects of his game, and consequently, he has not learned to play as part of a team.

My theory is let him stay in OKC, let him go to Washington, or Boston, or LAC, or GSW, because barring some miracle, he will pretty much remain the same player he always has been. I remember listening to a Lowe Post podcast last week and they were debating who will end their career with more championships: KD or Westbrook. My answer is, ultimately, Westbrook can play team basketball and will find himself in a situation where it is encouraged. At that point he'll have a chance to win it all. I can't envision that for KD.

Just my thoughts, though. I like KD as a guy and hope he can figure it out.

I disagree with... well, all of this. Durant was one of the best all-around players when Russ went down. It was basically LeBron and Durant in terms of guys who could put up a triple-double whenever they wanted. Now that Russ is back, Durant has willingly gone back to the scoring role, but he has still vastly improved his all-around game compared to even a few years ago.

He came into the league as a skinny wing who could shoot... and that was it. He's now a plus defender, able to hit shots from anywhere, he's got a decent post-game when given the chance to use it, and he can facilitate for others. The guy has shot 50-51% each of the last 5 years. I think we need a different definition of "difficult shots" for this guy.

Look, there's a reason the Thunder can survive and make some noise without Russ but with KD, while missing the playoffs with Russ and without KD.

 

[TheBigAristotle]

Like in what planet would you not trade Kevin Love for Kevin Durant if you could?

I'd love to see the reasoning for Griffin rejecting this trade. "Can't do it, we like how Kevin Love passes the ball too much."

You might get the better player in that trade, but you still need to have a balanced team to win. People tend to forget that when comparing 1-1 trade proposals.
If you would get Durant, I would swap Kyrie for CP3 to get an excellent pass-first point guard to combine with Durant and Lebron. Kyrie may be better offensively than CP3 but you don't need that in such a team.

Anyway, too much 'what-ifs'

 

[Rich]

IMagine if he takes a one year deal, then he and Westbrook both go to Minnesota in 2017.

That type of shit never happens...but just imagine if they thought that through and made it happen.

 

[ajz20]

I want to see him stay in okc. But no golden state ! That is all I ask!!!

 

[aldamon]

I want him to stay in OKC because they seem like good fans.

 

[K1rieIrving>AllOtherPG's]

Russel Westbrook & Kevin Durant absolutely despise the Warriors but especially Curry, zero chance he goes to GS, I think he stays with OKC they have the best team in the west IMO

 

[macbdog]

Cleveland. Move LBJ to PF.

 

[gourimoko]

Cleveland. Move LBJ to PF.

You'd need to trade Kevin Love or Kyrie Irving to make that happen.

 

[gourimoko]

I'd bet money Durant stays in OKC on a short-term deal.

There's just no way he goes somewhere else at this point given the financial considerations. We're talking an additional $50M if he just waits one year?

I think he waits the year.

 

[godfather]

I think he shocks everyone and goes to GS. He now has the excuse, they didn't win it all.

I hope not. I am not sure he really wants to be in OKC. Kevin isn't getting any younger. I think he should stay there.

But, then again, he is quickly looking like a superstar that might never win a title. This is a tough decision, and I think he might panic and make a drastic decision like going to GS. Or maybe even San Antonio.

I don't think OKC gives him the best chance to win a title. I think he and Westbrook are dynamic players that just don't quite fit together.

I hope he stays though. I do. It makes us the clear favorites to win it all next year. If he goes to SA or GS, well, that could get interesting.

 

[gourimoko]

I think he shocks everyone and goes to GS. He now has the excuse, they didn't win it all.

I hope not. I am not sure he really wants to be in OKC. Kevin isn't getting any younger. I think he should stay there.

But, then again, he is quickly looking like a superstar that might never win a title. This is a tough decision, and I think he might panic and make a drastic decision like going to GS. Or maybe even San Antonio.

I don't think OKC gives him the best chance to win a title. I think he and Westbrook are dynamic players that just don't quite fit together.

I hope he stays though. I do. It makes us the clear favorites to win it all next year. If he goes to SA or GS, well, that could get interesting.

Think about this...

Steph Curry takes 2+ more FGA per game than Russell Westbrook.
Klay Thompson averages 17 FGA per game and is efficient, at 60% true shooting pct and most importantly; almost all of that is off screens and catch and shoots (less than 3 dribbles) - in other words, he doesn't require anything but motion and screens, you don't need to isolate him and stop your offense.

If Durant signs there long-term, what is Steve Kerr's incentive to make Kevin Durant the primary, or even secondary scoring option?

I get it, it's Durant, he'd be the best player on the team... But their system is gone if he gets his 19.2 attempts per game playing the same familiar style he's played his entire career.

Keep in mind, Steph Curry and Klay and Draymond all played in a traditional basketball system with lots of isolation plays under Marc Jackson. Those guys thrive in SSOL Suns' basketball under Kerr... Adding Durant may break their synergy, unless he's willing to play as they do, in a role that he's never had before.

And if he's going to make the Kevin Love sacrifice, then he'll never be considered an MVP caliber player ever again because his stats won't reflect his potential.

Beyond all of that; why flush $50M down the drain to ring chase and be second or even third banana on offense?

If he really desperately wants out of OKC, why not go to the Wizards?

It's just ... such a long-shot.

Lastly, keep in mind. If he leaves in free agency today, whatever team that receives him (unless via trade) won't have his Bird rights. Meaning, he can't do a 1+1 year deal with that team, opt out next year, and get a better deal under the higher cap unless that team can fit him completely under the cap.

So, again, it's really difficult seeing him leaving this year. But I agree, he'll likely bounce next off-season.

 

[godfather]

Think about this...

Steph Curry takes 2+ more FGA per game than Russell Westbrook.
Klay Thompson averages 17 FGA per game and is efficient, at 60% true shooting pct and most importantly; almost all of that is off screens and catch and shoots (less than 3 dribbles) - in other words, he doesn't require anything but motion and screens, you don't need to isolate him and stop your offense.

If Durant signs there long-term, what is Steve Kerr's incentive to make Kevin Durant the primary, or even secondary scoring option?

I get it, it's Durant, he'd be the best player on the team... But they're system is gone if he gets his 19.2 attempts per game playing the same familiar style he's played his entire career. And if he's going to make the Kevin Love sacrifice, then he'll never be considered an MVP caliber player ever again because his stats won't reflect his potential.

Beyond all of that; why flush $50M down the drain to ring chase and be second or even third banana on offense?

If he really desperately wants out of OKC, why not go to the Wizards?

I think OKC is the favorites and probably will be back there. And that makes a lot of sense.

Just going on a hunch/feeling for some reason. Maybe that's me just being paranoid.

 

[Jordan]

My bet is Durant signs a 1+1 in OKC, and ultimately, I could see him staying in Oklahoma for life.

Here is the thing, though: If he fails to get out of the Western Conference again this year, he's going to bolt to the East. This is why Boston, Washington, Miami, Chicago, New York, and even Philadelphia are going to be quietly positioning themselves to sign him next offseason. These teams are going to sign/draft young talent with tons of potential, ensure they have at least one star on the roster, and have significant cap flexibility for the foreseeable future. Follow all these guys this offseason, especially Boston and Washington, you'll notice they won't fill holes at the 3/4 position, and are working to develop a team that could play well with KD.