NBA: Ranking The Top 25 Free Agents Of 2016

Jan 20, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) is injured during the first half against Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) is injured during the first half against Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
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May 12, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) brings the ball up the court against the San Antonio Spurs during the third quarter in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) brings the ball up the court against the San Antonio Spurs during the third quarter in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

1 – Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder – 6’10” Forward

The biggest, most widely name in this year’s free agency. Kevin Durant is arguably the best player in the NBA right now and has one MVP award along with four scoring titles. Durant could make the worst team in the league a competitor, just as LeBron did with the horrid Cavaliers.

Let’s be real, every team in the NBA is interested in acquiring the seven-time all-star. I am going to narrow it down to the top three – the Houston Rockets, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Washington Wizards.

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The Houston Rockets have been rumored for a lot of hot players in this offseason including Hassan Whiteside and DeMar DeRozan as well as KD. With Dwight Howard’s eventual departure, the cap space is there and so is James Harden. Unfortunately, I think that Trevor Ariza is good enough where he is and the Houston Rockets need to look more for a center to replace Howard. I don’t see the Rockets as much contenders.

The Oklahoma City Thunder is his home. OKC is all that Kevin Durant knows. Add that and Russell Westbrook and you have the recipe they already have for success. I think if OKC can get another good role player to surround KD and Westbrook with, it will be hard for him to leave and let go of everything he has done in OKC. Unfortunately, this recipe for success has brought everything but a Larry O’Brien trophy to OKC in eight years.

LeBron made headlines heading home to Cleveland to try and valiantly win a championship for his hometown who hasn’t seen an NBA trophy in their 46 years in the league. The Washington Wizards are in the same boat. Washington is Kevin Durant’s hometown. Washington hasn’t seen a championship victory since 1978 when they were known as the Capital Bullets.

Needless to say, this could very well be the move Durant could make. Surrounded by John Wall, Bradley Beal, and Marcin Gortat, Durant and those Wizards could make some noise if the superstar decides to make a hometown commitment.

Without a doubt, free agency is the last thing on Kevin Durant’s mind as his OKC Thunder and the Golden State Warriors are at a heated battle in the Western Conference Finals.

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If OKC overpowers GSW, then the winner of the TOR/CLE series and wins a championship this year, KD is a lock to stay in OKC. But, if they don’t win, I think after nine tries and nine fails, it is time for a change of scenery for the big fella.