Minnesota Sports Forum

Free agency kicks in soon, and Durant is the biggest prize (at least among those with any likelihood of leaving). Where he ends up has an impact on the Wolves' chances to win a championship in 4-5 year too. Durant's decision will likely be based on these factors, in order of importance: 1) cap space to give him a max contract, 2) chance to win multiple championships, 3) location. Where does he end up?

Durant will signs 1+1 deal in OKC we all know it is gonna happen just how long will it take. If he leaves after the trade OKC made this week he is a complete moron.

I think he'll stay on exactly the deal monster describes.

They almost went to the finals. He obviously likes it there. He'll give it one more go and give himself the chance to re-up or bail for more money in a year if it doesn't work out. It's the logical choice. It would definitely be tough for OKC to lose both Westbrook and Durant in the same year, but it could happen a year from now depending on how they do next year.

Interesting article about OKC dealing Ibaka because Ibaka wanted a much bigger role on offense.

The more I look at them getting Oladipo the more I say "wow" he has inproved statistically every year. This year he averaged almost a block a game as a guard. Like someone said on local radio OKC now has a freak athletic backcourt tandem that either of them could do a 360 dunk in a game. I'm not supposed to do this but I'm starting to be an OKC fan again. Not over the Wolves obviously but wow. I've always liked Ilyasova too and they have Sabonis? I didn't exactly get what the article meant by getting 75 cents on the dollar I thought this deal was terrific.

Drew, I don't know that we know Durant likes it in OkC. Have you ever been there...arguably the least attractive city in the NBA! He probably feels some loyalty and drvie to win one there, but with Ibaka gone, he may not think a team that starts Adams and Ilyasova at C and PF is good enough to win the West. And as a 9-year veteran, you know he wants to win this year.

Replacing Barnes in GS's lineup would almost guarantee him a championship, and living in the Bay area is certainly more pleasant than lving in Oklahoma City. By declining Barnes, the Warriors have the cap space to give Durant the 1-year max he probably wants, and they will still have room under the luxury tax threshold to sign Livingston, Ezeli and filler. Golden State seems like the best option for Durant to achieve his three likely goals. The only downside for Golden State is that they likely have to let Bogut and Iggy go in 2017-8 to stay under the lux tax after giving Curry his max, but they can probably stay under the lux and continue to win championships with a Big 4 of Curry, Durant, Klay and Green plus 11 cheapies.

longstrangetrip wrote:Drew, I don't know that we know Durant likes it in OkC. Have you ever been there...arguably the least attractive city in the NBA! He probably feels some loyalty and drvie to win one there, but with Ibaka gone, he may not think a team that starts Adams and Ilyasova at C and PF is good enough to win the West. And as a 9-year veteran, you know he wants to win this year.

Replacing Barnes in GS's lineup would almost guarantee him a championship, and living in the Bay area is certainly more pleasant than lving in Oklahoma City. By declining Barnes, the Warriors have the cap space to give Durant the 1-year max he probably wants, and they will still have room under the luxury tax threshold to sign Livingston, Ezeli and filler. Golden State seems like the best option for Durant to achieve his three likely goals. The only downside for Golden State is that they likely have to let Bogut and Iggy go in 2017-8 to stay under the lux tax after giving Curry his max, but they can probably stay under the lux and continue to win championships with a Big 4 of Curry, Durant, Klay and Green plus 11 cheapies.

It's one thing to join a loaded team and win a championship, it's another altogether to join a team that played in the last two finals and won one of them. In the first scenario you can be the piece that put them over the top, in the second you're just riding their coattails. To me it'd be like winning a championship while not playing because you're injured, it'd be empty as it was your teammates who won while you sat in a suit on the sidelines.

Now if he were to go to the Clippers or Lakers along with another piece and they won he could legitimately be the final piece of the championship puzzle. You have to earn the right to be called champion, not join one.

TheSP wrote:

longstrangetrip wrote:Drew, I don't know that we know Durant likes it in OkC. Have you ever been there...arguably the least attractive city in the NBA! He probably feels some loyalty and drvie to win one there, but with Ibaka gone, he may not think a team that starts Adams and Ilyasova at C and PF is good enough to win the West. And as a 9-year veteran, you know he wants to win this year.

Replacing Barnes in GS's lineup would almost guarantee him a championship, and living in the Bay area is certainly more pleasant than lving in Oklahoma City. By declining Barnes, the Warriors have the cap space to give Durant the 1-year max he probably wants, and they will still have room under the luxury tax threshold to sign Livingston, Ezeli and filler. Golden State seems like the best option for Durant to achieve his three likely goals. The only downside for Golden State is that they likely have to let Bogut and Iggy go in 2017-8 to stay under the lux tax after giving Curry his max, but they can probably stay under the lux and continue to win championships with a Big 4 of Curry, Durant, Klay and Green plus 11 cheapies.

It's one thing to join a loaded team and win a championship, it's another altogether to join a team that played in the last two finals and won one of them. In the first scenario you can be the piece that put them over the top, in the second you're just riding their coattails. To me it'd be like winning a championship while not playing because you're injured, it'd be empty as it was your teammates who won while you sat in a suit on the sidelines.

Now if he were to go to the Clippers or Lakers along with another piece and they won he could legitimately be the final piece of the championship puzzle. You have to earn the right to be called champion, not join one.

You just have to win the championship to be called a champion. It doesn't matter how you get there. They only count rings at the end of the day, not how you got them. The Magic Lakers and Bird Celtics were just as stacked as the Warriors would be with Durant and nobody brings that up when talking about Magic and Bird. They just talk about the greatness of great players on great teams and Durant would be a great player on a great team.

khans2k5 wrote:

TheSP wrote:

longstrangetrip wrote:Drew, I don't know that we know Durant likes it in OkC. Have you ever been there...arguably the least attractive city in the NBA! He probably feels some loyalty and drvie to win one there, but with Ibaka gone, he may not think a team that starts Adams and Ilyasova at C and PF is good enough to win the West. And as a 9-year veteran, you know he wants to win this year.

Replacing Barnes in GS's lineup would almost guarantee him a championship, and living in the Bay area is certainly more pleasant than lving in Oklahoma City. By declining Barnes, the Warriors have the cap space to give Durant the 1-year max he probably wants, and they will still have room under the luxury tax threshold to sign Livingston, Ezeli and filler. Golden State seems like the best option for Durant to achieve his three likely goals. The only downside for Golden State is that they likely have to let Bogut and Iggy go in 2017-8 to stay under the lux tax after giving Curry his max, but they can probably stay under the lux and continue to win championships with a Big 4 of Curry, Durant, Klay and Green plus 11 cheapies.

It's one thing to join a loaded team and win a championship, it's another altogether to join a team that played in the last two finals and won one of them. In the first scenario you can be the piece that put them over the top, in the second you're just riding their coattails. To me it'd be like winning a championship while not playing because you're injured, it'd be empty as it was your teammates who won while you sat in a suit on the sidelines.

Now if he were to go to the Clippers or Lakers along with another piece and they won he could legitimately be the final piece of the championship puzzle. You have to earn the right to be called champion, not join one.

You just have to win the championship to be called a champion. It doesn't matter how you get there. They only count rings at the end of the day, not how you got them. The Magic Lakers and Bird Celtics were just as stacked as the Warriors would be with Durant and nobody brings that up when talking about Magic and Bird. They just talk about the greatness of great players on great teams and Durant would be a great player on a great team.

Agreed, Khans. I didn't sense that carpetbaggers like James, Bosh and Love felt any worse because they had to move to other cities to win a ring. I think Durant will look at an OkC team that will be starting Adams and Ilyasova at the two big positions, and wonder if they can compete with a still young Golden State team that promises to be hungry and even better this year. Yes, it's more admirable to win a championship more organically, but ultimately I think it's a small consideration for these guys.

monsterpile wrote:Durant will signs 1+1 deal in OKC we all know it is gonna happen just how long will it take. If he leaves after the trade OKC made this week he is a complete moron.

You nailed it, Monster!

longstrangetrip wrote:Drew, I don't know that we know Durant likes it in OkC. Have you ever been there...arguably the least attractive city in the NBA! He probably feels some loyalty and drvie to win one there, but with Ibaka gone, he may not think a team that starts Adams and Ilyasova at C and PF is good enough to win the West. And as a 9-year veteran, you know he wants to win this year.

Replacing Barnes in GS's lineup would almost guarantee him a championship, and living in the Bay area is certainly more pleasant than lving in Oklahoma City. By declining Barnes, the Warriors have the cap space to give Durant the 1-year max he probably wants, and they will still have room under the luxury tax threshold to sign Livingston, Ezeli and filler. Golden State seems like the best option for Durant to achieve his three likely goals. The only downside for Golden State is that they likely have to let Bogut and Iggy go in 2017-8 to stay under the lux tax after giving Curry his max, but they can probably stay under the lux and continue to win championships with a Big 4 of Curry, Durant, Klay and Green plus 11 cheapies.

Good analysis, LST. If Durant is all about winning a championship, then signing with the Warriors is a no-brainer. But I suspect his loyalty will win out and he'll stay in OKC. A know someone whose son was Durant's college roommate. She said Durant is a super nice guy and doesn't like glitz, glamour or big cities. I think he's very comfortable in Ok City.