The Summer of LeBron and Carmelo is (thankfully!) over, so while you’re already strapped in for the Summer of Love (which may turn into the Fall and Winter — and possibly the following Spring and Summer — of Love) get ready for roughly two years of rumors involving another potential high profile free agent. Kevin Durant, who is entering the final two seasons of his deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder, actually provided somewhat of a real answer (translation: he actually gave a long answer) today in response to a question about how he thought LeBron James handled his return to Cleveland:
“I thought it was well-thought-out. It was classy. It was a great move to do it as a letter. That was pretty cool. It’s funny seeing guys think about more than just basketball for once. He thought about the city where he comes from, about Northeast Ohio and how he can affect so many of the kids just being there playing basketball. I love that. So many guys get criticized for making the decision that’s best for them instead of what’s best for everybody else. He’s a guy that did that. You gotta respect that. I applauded him, I texted him and told him congratulations on the decision and told him I was happy for him. As a fan of the game, it’s going to be pretty cool to see him back in Cleveland.”
So, will LeBron’s homecoming have any effect on Durant’s decision in 2016?
“I’m going to do what’s best for me. It’s hard to talk about that right now when I’ve got two years left in Oklahoma City. I’m just going to focus on that. I’m not going to make a decision based on what anybody else does. I grew up watching the Bullets/Wizards. I grew up taking the train to that arena, all the time, to watch Georgetown, the Bullets, the Washington Mystics. That whole city is a part of me. It’s in my blood. I love going back home, seeing my family and playing there, but I love Oklahoma City too.”
“…Everybody’s asked me about it every time I go on Instagram or Twitter. All my friends ask me about it. So I’m not going to sit here and act like I’m naïve to the fact that people think about that stuff. But I just tell everybody that I’m here in Oklahoma City, [and] I love it here. Who knows what will happen? I never close the door on anything. But I like where I’m at right now, so I can’t answer that question.”
Feel free to interpret that however you like. Just remember, a big ol’ can of lighter fuel was added to the Durant-to-D.C. narrative when the Wizards recently hired his former high school coach to be part of the staff. There’s no way to interpret that move other than to assume it’s a ploy to help the franchise land KD in 2016. But, for now (and, for the next two years), talk amongst yourselves.
[ESPN]
