The Golden State Warriors are fresh off a title loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night. Thursday night is the draft, and a week and a day after that is July 1, when free agency opens.
Kevin Durant could be one of the most coveted free agents ever (after LeBron James) and is expected to be given a max deal by whoever he chooses to sign with.
The two's paths may cross over the next few days, and weeks, with free agency opening on July first, and the Warriors being a contender to sign him.
Other contenders to sign Durant
While everyone would love to sign Kevin Durant, the two biggest contenders to win his services at this point are the Golden State Warriors and his current team, the Oklahoma City Thunder. While several other teams will be pursuing him, including the Washington Wizards, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, and San Antonio Spurs according to Marc Stein, however, it is unlikely that he leaves Oklahoma City unless it is for Golden State.
Why are teams pursuing Durant?
Since his rookie season of 2007=08, Durant has averaged 27.4 points, seven rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, as well as over a steal and block per game. He also averages .483 field goal percentage and a .380 three-point percentage as well over the course of his career.
He has only played in under 65 games one season, and that was the 2014-15 season due to injuries.
Compared to LeBron James, he matches up favorably in points per game, three-point percentage, and blocks per game.
Durant's 2015-16 season
Kevin Durant's career numbers are quite impressive, but his numbers this past season are actually higher than his career averages. He averaged 28.2 points, five assists and 8.2 rebounds per game, as well as a .505 field goal percentage this season.
He is putting up impressive numbers, is consistent in doing so, and is right in the middle of his prime at age 27.
Durant's fit in Golden State
Golden State may be known for the splash brothers, and have invested their future into them. Kevin Durant, however, is one of the best players in the NBA today, and becomes most teams' top player if put on their roster.
Golden State is one of the very few teams, where he wouldn't need to be the top guy. He currently shares the spotlight alongside one other player, Russell Westbrook, but in Golden State, he'd share it with two others; Stephen Curry, the reigning unanimous MVP, and Klay Thompson. There would be much less pressure on him to score and be a team leader, and he could thrive in a system run by Steve Kerr.
While Golden State is known for their threes, the team still needs post players to be able to free up the outside, and Durant would be a perfect combination of both the inside size and post play, as well as the potential to hit a shot from deep.
Even more importantly, is Kevin Durant's defensive ability. The Warriors struggled guarding against LeBron James in the NBA Finals, even attempting to put Curry, who's (unofficially) a half foot shorter than James on him. Harrison Barnes, Andre Iguodala and the collection of bench players that played the three were arguably the biggest weakness on the team, and with Cleveland having LeBron James at the three, it was their biggest strength.
Kevin Durant signing with Golden State would allow Draymond Green to play his natural position of Power Forward, would take some of the defense's attention off Curry and Thompson, and would make the Warriors a better defensive team, able to guard each team's best player.
Sure, a potential deal may hinder the team's cap space to re-sign free agents down the road, particularly if they give him a long-term deal, but if they sign him for a one or two year deal as is likely due to the NBA contract rule change possibility, it will be well worth the risk for the Warriors to sign him for the short term at the very least, and win another championship or two with his help.