Kevin Durant, shown earlier this week at the announcement of the U.S. Olympic team, has been the center of attention on this summer’s free agent market for two years. (Mary Altaffer/Associated Press)
NEW YORK – As Carmelo Anthony faced a laundry list of questions surrounding Kevin Durant’s impending free agency earlier this week, he was asked what lessons he’d learned during his own sojourn into the NBA’s open market two summers ago.
Even before the question was being asked, the New York Knicks forward began shaking his head.
“I wouldn’t do it again, I’ll tell you that,” Anthony said. “I wouldn’t do it again. It’s too much mentally, emotionally … [there are] too many things that you have to take into consideration. At the end of the day, whatever decision you make, somebody is going to say it was the wrong decision.
“For him, my message to him is try to get through this. Don’t make the decision based off of anyone else. Make your own decision because at the end of the day you’re the one that has to live with that.”
Easier said than done. Durant’s decision on where he will play next season and perhaps beyond, which will be made after free agency begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday, has hung over everyone else in the NBA.
[NBA free agency guide: What you need to know]
A transcendent talent who spent the first season of his NBA career playing for the Seattle SuperSonics, then eight seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder in one of the league’s smallest markets, Durant, 27, has been seen as a possibility to leave for years. That’s why teams such as the Washington Wizards, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers have spent years preparing to make a run at him this summer. But none of those teams had been granted a meeting with Durant, at least as of Thursday, because none of them can presently provide him with an immediate path to championship contention.
“I’ll factor in everything that’s important to me, which is playing basketball, at the end of the day,” Durant said, “and we’ll see what happens.”
[Steinberg: Wizards need to make a strong pitch to free agents, and it should start with Wall]
What will happen to begin free agency is Durant and his representatives from Roc Nation Sports – led by agent Rich Kleiman – will sit down over the weekend with six teams: the Thunder, Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics and Miami Heat. Others, like the ones mentioned above and the Houston Rockets, will attempt to get meetings with him, as well, but there’s no guarantee they will.
The expectation from those who’ve been monitoring the Durant sweepstakes is this whole process won’t take long to play out. Once these teams get the chance to make their pitches to him, he’s expected to think it over and make a decision in relatively short order. Free agents are allowed to officially sign contracts on July 7, though agreements can be made before then.
Each of Durant’s known suitors has its own appeal. Even after trading Serge Ibaka last week, the Thunder might still offer him the best chance to win the NBA title next season, as well as the chance to remain with the only franchise he’s ever played for. The Warriors present an opportunity to play with three all-stars – Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green – without sacrificing any of them to fit him under the salary cap, thanks to the influx of television money raising teams’ personnel budgets and wreaking havoc on the market. The Spurs have Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge in their primes, the chance to play with Hall of Famers Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker in the twilights of their careers, and arguably the league’s most celebrated coach in Gregg Popovich.
The Clippers would likely have to sacrifice Blake Griffin to fit Durant onto their roster, but they’d still have Coach Doc Rivers, top point guard Chris Paul and athletic big man DeAndre Jordan – not to mention the bright lights of Los Angeles, where Durant owns a home. The Celtics boast unparalleled history, plus a roster deep with solid talent and a terrific young coach in Brad Stevens. And then there’s Miami, which always finds a way to get stars to come there, from Shaquille O’Neal to LeBron James and Chris Bosh.
The Thunder is still widely expected to be the leaders for his services. That won’t stop any of the other candidates, however, from giving it their best shot.
“This is a business,” Draymond Green said. “I’ve always been taught you’re either getting better, or you’re getting worse. Teams are always going to look to improve, and see what’s next.”
Durant’s free agency is the biggest topic of conversation this summer, but it’s not the only one. Players such as Atlanta Hawks forward Al Horford, Charlotte Hornets guard Nicolas Batum and Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley will be in line for maximum allowable contracts, while a litany of players will be hoping to take advantage of the massive rise in the salary cap – from $70 million to roughly $94 million – to cash in this summer in ways like no one has seen before.
[Thunder hopes to reunite Horford with his college coach, Billy Donovan]
It starts and ends with Durant, though. After years of waiting, it’s time for the Summer of Durant.
More NBA free agency:
Complete guide: Every available player, latest rumors, best fits and more
Top 50 NBA free agents: Kevin Durant … then everyone else
Joakim Noah could run the triangle offense for the Knicks
Miss out on a big fish in free agency? Here’s what your backup plan should be.
Shopper’s guide to this year’s NBA free agents
Brewer: The Wizards can win in free agency. Here’s how.
Steinberg: Wizards owe it to John Wall to make this the ‘biggest summer’
Lakers need to get a star center in free agency
Knicks don’t have a lot of options but need players for the triangle offense
Three teams that should give Dwight Howard a serious look in free agency
Kevin Durant did Wizards a favor. Now they can focus on these free agents.
