Analyzing Philadelphia’s Chances Of Landing Kevin Durant In 2016

Ryan Disdier

Feb 21, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward

Kevin Durant

(35) cheers his team from the bench during the second half of the game against the Charlotte hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Thunder win 110-103. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

Next offseason, former league MVP and scoring champion Kevin Durant will become an unrestricted free agent.

Despite missing a significant amount of time last year because of injuries, Durant remains as one of the game’s best overall players.

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It’s impossible to accurately predict where the lengthy scorer will end up, but it’s always fun to speculate. It all really depends on the money he’s offered and where he thinks he can become successful.

Also on Sixer Sense: Can Jahlil Okafor win ROY?

I don’t think much needs to be said about how good of a player Durant is, so I’ll spare you and won’t go on about how he can virtually score from anywhere.

With that being said, do the 76ers have any shot at all to land Durant? It’s not likely, but hey, anything’s possible.

Durant did recently say he would love to have his jersey retired in OKC, but he also acknowledged the fact that things, and feelings, change, according to Royce Young of ESPN.

So lets look at the factors that could help make the stars align and sent Durant to the 76ers.

Next: Is it possible at all?

Feb 9, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward

Kevin Durant

(35) controls the ball against Denver Nuggets forward

Wilson Chandler

(21) during the first half at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

How could it happen?

At the very least, there have been some rumblings about the possibility of Durant to Philly. The Sixers now have someone on the staff whom Durant has previous relations with. According to Andrew Kulp of CSN Philly, the Sixers hired Todd Wright, who was the strength and conditioning coach at Texas, Durant’s alma mater.

It seems Durant had close ties with Wright.

“Wouldn’t it truly be beautiful if all the trades and all the decisions to not overspend were just part of Hinkie’s master plan to nab a player like Durant?”

“That’s one of the reasons I picked Texas as a school, because he does so much for the guys,” Durant said of Wright, according to Stack.com. “Not only gaining weight, but [making] sure you’re always healthy. He knows a lot about the body. He’s also like a doctor, because he knows why your knees are messed up … he does a great job of putting together a plan from the beginning.”

Despite the relationship, nabbing KD is still a relative long shot for the Sixers. Well, from a financial standpoint, it’s not too far off.

According to Spotrac the Sixers will be around $55 million — the predicted salary cap is $89 million — under the salary cap in 2016. Essentially, they would be able to offer Durant a contract worthy of his talent.

Lately, the Sixers have been reluctant to spend too much money, despite having a surplus. They won’t overpay for players who likely aren’t worth it, and one has to imagine it’s in the hopes of landing a big-name free agent.

If a player like Durant is available, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Sam Hinkie make a move to try to acquire him.

So money isn’t a big issue here. Winning, however, could pose to be a bigger issue than finances. Durant is in the prime of his career, there’s no denying that. But he might not want to waste his best years playing for a rebuilding team.

Jul 14, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center

Jahlil Okafor

(8) holds the ball away from New York Knicks forward

Alex Kirk

(53) during an NBA Summer League game at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

How big of an issue is winning?

According to Derrick Bodner of NBA.com, the Sixers need to make a quick improvement to even have a shot at KD.

#sixers would need to win at least 45 games for Durant to be a legitimate option next year. A trainer he liked a long time ago isn't enough
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) July 9, 2015

While there’s no question that the Sixers are slowly improving, 45 wins this year might be too much too expect from this very young team.

The real question is probably just how many games can this team win this upcoming season? They now have the offensive focal point — third-overall pick Jahlil Okafor — they lacked last year, to go along with the defensive prowess of Nerlens Noel.

The two big men are surrounded by talented, albeit unsung players, including Nik Stauskas, Tony Wroten and Robert Covington. The Eastern Conference isn’t as competitive as the West, but it’s likely going to be tougher this year.

It’s tough to imagine the Sixers competing for a playoff spot, barring a significant upgrade at the point guard position.

But even if they fail to his 45 wins or even .500, there’s a shimmer of hope that Durant could go about free agency the same way the most polarizing player in the NBA did.

Next: Following The King?

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

LeBron James

(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

May 11, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and guard

Thabo Sefolosha

(25) celebrate as Los Angeles Clippers forward

Blake Griffin

(32) walks off the court in game four of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Thunder 101-99 to tie the series 2-2.Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The pitch and the verdict

Philly’s pitch to Durant would likely go something like this: “We’re an up-and-coming team with a lot of young talent. You’re going to be the star and you’re going to be the reason why people buy tickets. You’ll be the catalyst for change, and players will follow you here.”

Wouldn’t it truly be beautiful if all the trades and all the decisions to not overspend were just part of Hinkie’s master plan to nab a player like Durant?

A turnoff could be the playoff virginity of this Sixers squad. Despite that, with the Sixers making improvements as time goes on, it’s likely they’ll be in a position to win in 2016 when Durant becomes a free agent.

Is it set in stone? No, absolutely not, but I’ll say this: Crazier things have happened.

If you were to tell me in 2009 that LBJ would go to Miami, make the Finals four straight times and then go back to Cleveland, I would’ve labeled you crazy.

Philly fans will just have to keep their fingers crossed moving forward.

Lets talk on Twitter: @DisdierSports

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Ryan Disdier