NBA Executives Believe Kevin Durant Will Re-Sign With Thunder Next Summer

USA Today

The start of the 2015-16 NBA season is still months away, but the rumors are already starting to swirl about the potential destination of the biggest name to hit the free agent market next summer. Kevin Durant will become an unrestricted free agent next July with many different teams hoping to sign the former NBA MVP.

Although Durant may ultimately decide to leave the team that drafted him, much like LaMarcus Aldridge did this summer by signing with the San Antonio Spurs, it seems as though the consensus is he’ll simply re-sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

According to Ken Berger of CBSSports.com, NBA executives believes Durant won’t be going anywhere once officially a free agent:

Most league execs informally polled here at Summer League expect Durant to stay in Oklahoma City when he hits the market next summer. There are only a handful of teams that can legitimately think they’re an option. The Lakers, the Mavs and the Wizards (in Durant’s hometown) are in the mix, for starters. The Knicks? I mean, I guess, in theory.

The main concern with Durant moving forward is his health. After missing only a total two games in two seasons combined, Durant played in only 27 games last year due to a foot injury. The injury has become a legitimate concern and could quickly change the long-term future for Durant, but as of right now, he’ll be the most coveted free agent next summer.

It’ll be interesting to see how things pan out in Oklahoma City with the team having a new head coach Billy Donovan and Russell Westbrook set to be a free agent in two years time. The Thunder could easily go from one of the league’s elite teams to one of the worse during the span on the next two years due to the decisions made by Durant and Westbrook.

Needless to say, it’ll be a crucial couple of seasons for the Western Conference powerhouse.