KD to SA in Free Agency?

I would say slim, but certainly not impossible.

Durant's current contract means he's part of the Thunder until at least 2011/12, more likely 2012/13. He's eligible for a qualifying offer in 2011/12, basically meaning he's a restricted free agent. If he wants to leave OKC, his best bet is to sign the offer sheet, play out the additional year and then enter unrestricted free agency.

For San Antonio, as it stands right now their current contracts for Duncan, Parker and Jefferson would all be off the books by 2012/13, meaning they'd be able to offer a max deal assuming they didn't go out and use that cap space elsewhere. Jefferson's gone after his deal expires in 2010/11. Parker's deal expires in 2010/11 but you have to think they'll try to extend his contract. Duncan's deal expires in 2012/13, but I'm inclined to think they'll keep him around until he's ready to hang it up. Hopefully he'll be willing to take a pay cut to help the team.

You've also got to assume that George Hill and Dejuan Blair will get paid at some point and that will tie up some cap room. Big picture, Ginobili is the only large, long-term deal they're tied into right now. IF Duncan signs an extension that includes a substantial pay cut and IF they re-sign Parker at the mid-level exception or let him walk and IF they don't go out and make a splash in the meantime, then they will likely have the cap space to make Durant the max offer. Of course if Durant is committed to OKC then none of this matters.

I'd say it's a 5-10% chance. It'd be awesome, but I'm not holding my breath.
 
Durant seems like a loyal guy to me...i wouldnt be surprised to see him with OKC for his entire career.
 
Franchise players rarely flat out sign a free agent deal somewhere else. But my first thought was "Of course Durant probablt wants to get the hell out of OKC" but my second thought was, "If you he's going to alienate and insult a fanbase by flat out leaving, he wouldn't do that for San Antonio."

I'd put the chances at 1%. This is as laughable as that DMN article about the Mavs signing LeBron.
 
Nope. He replaces Kobe in LA.

He is from Maryland. Just because he went to UT for 1 year doesn't mean he is all over the area.

Does this mean Bosh goes to Dallas this year? NO!
 
Kobe pitched a fit as an 18yo untl Charlotte, the team that drafted the punk, traded him to the Lakers. KD could have done the same thing, but he has class, and played for the team that drafted him. I hope he leads OKC to 5 titles. Screw LA.
 
KD to SA? slim to none. Marquee players don't come to SA.

Spurs fans have been extremely fortunate to have a person like Duncan fall into their laps in the late 90's. A no nonsense kind of guy, whose personality does not seek the glamour teams, ie: LA, NY, Floridas. Never looked to leave SA for the markets that could make him more dough and prestige.

Didn't hurt that he is arguably the best power forward to ever play the game. Definite top 5.

The spurs are slowly heading toward mediocrity, which would normally make sense for a market like SA. It's a great organization, but it seems very unlikely that it can keep or attracted the stars of the league to come play there. In addition, if they were able to draft a superstar in the future, how long would it be before that superstar will look for greener pastures, unlike what Timmy did. Duncan's character and personality is an anamoly in the NBA.
 
The Thunder are one of the best young teams in the NBA. Their management is going to do everything in it's power to keep this core of players together. Look for KD to sign an extension as his rookie contract starts winding down.

SA is old and a shell of what they used to be.
 
Interesting article about the Kobe trade. I remember when Kobe was drafted hearing that he wanted to play for the Lakers, and then they made the trade. Thats what my post was based on, not anything that has been said or written since.
 
So I'm currently living up in Oklahoma City and have spent a great deal of time the past two years following the Thunder. I would say there is a 99.99% chance Kevin will get offered the maximum contract this summer and in turn accept. He has come out on local telivision, the papers, and been very vocal about how much he loves OKC, the organization, and most importantly his teammates. They are building this team around a young group of friends, and I really think that will be enough to keep KD here for the long haul. Here's to hoping they get picked up nationally more than 3 times this next season. They are really going to do some damage...
hookem.gif
 
Kobe and his agent made negative comments BEFORE THE DRAFT about "small markets" including charlotte. It's not revisionist history. That article conveniently doesn't mention that circumstances revolving around Kobe's pre draft workouts for teams that were interested in drafting him. He came into the league with the label of a spoiled cry baby and at the time it was a fair assessment.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Weekly Prediction Contest

* Predict HORNS-AGGIES *
Sat, Nov 30 • 6:30 PM on ABC

Recent Threads

Prediction Results Threads

2024 Schedules

Back
Top