Analyzing Philadelphia’s Chances Of Landing Kevin Durant In 2016

Jan 25, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward

(23) calls a play against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) in the fourth quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Could KD follow LeBron’s method?

When LeBron James became a free agent in 2010, he met with the Nets, Knicks, Bulls, Clippers, Cavaliers and of course, the Heat.

Out of all of those teams, only the Cavs and the Heat had a record that surpassed .500. The Clippers and Knicks were mediocre, while the Nets were the league’s worst team, and one of the most historically bad units.

With that nugget of knowledge, it’s not completely asinine to think Durant could follow the blueprint LeBron created for superstar free agents.

Furthermore, Durant could theoretically realize that no matter where he goes, big-name free agents will likely follow. If you’re one of the best players in the world, people will want to play with you. The Sixers are a team that could have two young stars by next offseason, so that could also attract some free agents to the City of Brotherly Love.

It’s not as if the Sixers are sans any talented players. If his rookie year was any indicator of things to come, then the Sixers will have a defensive anchor for a long time. Even if Okafor plays well as a rookie, the Sixers will still lack a truly prolific and dynamic scorer.

A Durant-to-Philly scenario would essentially ensure KD could shoot the rock as much as he wants to.

KD could always choose to go back home to D.C. and play for the Wizards. But I don’t think Durant would choose the Wizards just because that’s his hometown. He might choose them because he views them as his best chance at a Championship, though.

While the speculation is fun, it would be foolish to not consider the possibility of Durant simply re-signing with the Thunder.

He helped build that team up from the ground, and there’s certainly a strong possibility he remains with the team. But with Russell Westbrook‘s MVP-caliber latter half of last year, perhaps Durant has become expendable.

With a new regime in OKC, could the front office believe there are cheaper alternatives than Durant? If the team decided to provide Westbrook with a little more talent and depth, they would probably be a playoff team.

Next: The verdict