Where Should KD Play in 2016-2017?

[Ohio]

The main reason though I can see him shunning South Beach is that he'd essentially be adopting LBJ's legacy.

This is exactly why I think he doesn't go there. Regardless of the fact there's several better basketball teams he can join.

 

[Bill Walton.]

Oklahoma City. If Lebron has taught KD anything. Jumping ship to chase rings isn't always a guarantee.

Boston is sexy on paper, but does KD turn them into the best team in the east? It's so hard to project these types of transitions and I personally think he stays with OKC. Him and Westbrook are better than any other 1-2 punch he can create.

Boston wouldn't be talented enough nor would Washington IMO. They're all lateral moves.


Now if he went to Golden State.... That's a different story, but also unrealistic to me. I don't know if he's buddy buddy with Steph

 

[Ohio]

It's about more than just Westbrook, though. The rest of the roster in OKC leaves a LOT to be desired. If Durant goes to the Clippers, they have much more talent after him & CP3 than the Thunder do after Durant & RW. Similarly in Boston if that Cousins scenario plays out. Even Toronto despite the fact they'd have to let DeRozan walk in order to get Durant.

You need more than two players. Westbrook may be a top 5 player in the NBA as well as Durant, but it's just not enough, as we've seen over the years for OKC.

 

[godfather]

CP3 and Durant would just be a million times better together. Even if we're going to compare the two duos.

CP3 is not as good as Westbrook, make no mistake. But the chemistry has never been great between the two.

I think Durant needs a pass first point guard like CP3, and Westbrook needs a great inside man..

 

[David.]

Clippers or Toronto, then Washington

 

[Jscc]

If KD wants to win, then only Golden State makes sense imo. Harris Barnes is a free agent this summer. That opens up cap room and SF for KD to slide right into.

If KD wants to win but isn't interested in GS or OKC, then only east teams make sense. He won't have to deal with the Spurs or GS until the NBA finals.

And if he goes east.. I wonder if there's someway to get him here to Cleveland.

 

[gourimoko]

And if he goes east.. I wonder if there's someway to get him here to Cleveland.

You could sign-and-trade one of Kyrie or Kevin Love to OKC, or do a 3-team deal. We'd be under a hard-cap for the year, but, you could do it.

The problem with such a scenario is that you've somehow got to convince Durant that Cleveland is a better option than Golden State and/or Washington and/or Los Angeles (or wherever). And I just don't see a compelling argument that can be made there. If he doesn't want to play in Steph's shadow, why would he play in LeBron's? And if he wants to build his own team, why go to either GSW or CLE?

It's not that we don't have the assets, I think we do, it's that he just wouldn't come to Cleveland over the alternatives.

 

[czvo]

It's about more than just Westbrook, though. The rest of the roster in OKC leaves a LOT to be desired. If Durant goes to the Clippers, they have much more talent after him & CP3 than the Thunder do after Durant & RW. Similarly in Boston if that Cousins scenario plays out. Even Toronto despite the fact they'd have to let DeRozan walk in order to get Durant.

You need more than two players. Westbrook may be a top 5 player in the NBA as well as Durant, but it's just not enough, as we've seen over the years for OKC.

Do they? In that scenario, Blake isn't still on the team (unless there's someway to have him, KD, CP3, and DAJ that I'm not aware). I would have to vehemently disagree. The Thunder with KD and Russ and the rest of the roster is still a better option than the Clips with KD, CP3 and their crew.

 

[Ohio]

Do they? In that scenario, Blake isn't still on the team (unless there's someway to have him, KD, CP3, and DAJ that I'm not aware). I would have to vehemently disagree. The Thunder with KD and Russ and the rest of the roster is still a better option than the Clips with KD, CP3 and their crew.

They could trade Redick, decline their player options, and they'd have $20 million in cap space.

They can open up even more space if they dump Pierce & Wilcox. Or Pierce could just retire (he really should, he's a corpse out there).

I'm not sure what the max salary would start at for Durant, or if that's even a "must have" for him, but bottom line they can easily get $20-$25 million in cap space and keep CP3/Blake/DJ.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/LAC.html

 

[Surge]

He should stay in OKC and learn to be a better leader.

 

[JMoneyYourHoney]

They could trade Redick, decline their player options, and they'd have $20 million in cap space.

They can open up even more space if they dump Pierce & Wilcox. Or Pierce could just retire (he really should, he's a corpse out there).

I'm not sure what the max salary would start at for Durant, or if that's even a "must have" for him, but bottom line they can easily get $20-$25 million in cap space and keep CP3/Blake/DJ.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/LAC.html

They'd still find a way to not make it out of the second round.

 

[Walter White]

You could sign-and-trade one of Kyrie or Kevin Love to OKC, or do a 3-team deal. We'd be under a hard-cap for the year, but, you could do it.

The problem with such a scenario is that you've somehow got to convince Durant that Cleveland is a better option than Golden State and/or Washington and/or Los Angeles (or wherever). And I just don't see a compelling argument that can be made there. If he doesn't want to play in Steph's shadow, why would he play in LeBron's? And if he wants to build his own team, why go to either GSW or CLE?

It's not that we don't have the assets, I think we do, it's that he just wouldn't come to Cleveland over the alternatives.

I don't like to entertain it while the playoffs are going on, but you mentioned why it is possible. But why would he do it? One word, LeBron. I don't think it would be the same as playing in LeBron's shadow because LeBron is older and his game is very complimentary of KD's. LeBron is a playmaker first, and KD is score first. It would be a monster duo and I think both would only shine brighter as players. They would wreck the league together.

Also, why would KD do it? Because I feel like he is win first at this point in his career already. I think he is tired of getting bounced in the playoffs, and the Cavs would give him the best chance outside of the Warriors. Which is also why I think he highly considers Warriors too. I think there isn't any real incentive to join a team like Washington or Lakers that wouldn't be in a better position than the Thunder already are. Unless he prioritizes other things than winning. The fact that I think KD and LeBron would compliment each other so well is still really the main reason why though. LeBron doesn't even demand shots like Curry and Klay. But getting some rings is a lot better for your legacy (and brand) over being the guy on a team that goes nowhere. The formula for success still in this league is that it takes 2-3 superstars on your team to be a serious contender. Looking back through history, it has always been that way.

Also, LeBron and KD are good friends. Not as close as Cp3, Wade, and Melo, but they have developed a friendship:



Sorry to throw fuel on the fire, but I couldn't resist.

 

[gourimoko]

They could trade Redick, decline their player options, and they'd have $20 million in cap space.

They can open up even more space if they dump Pierce & Wilcox. Or Pierce could just retire (he really should, he's a corpse out there).

I'm not sure what the max salary would start at for Durant, or if that's even a "must have" for him, but bottom line they can easily get $20-$25 million in cap space and keep CP3/Blake/DJ.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/LAC.html

I never considered the Clippers..

Yeah, I think that makes a great deal of sense, to be quite honest.

 

[Walter White]

I never considered the Clippers..

Yeah, I think that makes a great deal of sense, to be quite honest.

A lot more than Lakers at least. Problem with Clippers is that I'm assuming they will have to trade one of Deandre or Blake to get him. Overall, yea they would be better probably, but that is a big blow. And they still have to get past Warriors, Spurs, etc. in the West.

Here is how I would rank the most likely imo:
1. OKC
2. Warriors
3. Clips
4. Toronto/Washington (tie, TOR would be better but WAS is home)

Darkhorse: Trade to Cleveland

The thing about the Raptors is they under-perform in the playoffs and KD sees that. Also, Washington can't even make the playoffs, but they could move up the list depending on how much he values playing at home. I still think he values winning the most or loyalty to OKC after seeing the send off it gave Kobe this year for sticking with Lakers.

Also, Dallas seems to be influential with free agents so I might put them at the five spot, but I don't think Boston, Lakers, Miami, or New York stand a chance. If Boston or Lakers can swing a big trade to create a big three... maybe but I doubt it.

 

[Ohio]

I never considered the Clippers..

Yeah, I think that makes a great deal of sense, to be quite honest.

Oh damn. They've been my #1 team for him all along. (I don't consider Golden State a realistic option).