It’s a hypothetical that’s never going to happen, but we’re going to have some fun with anyway.
What could the Oklahoma City Thunder get in a trade if Kevin Durant tells general manager Sam Presti he won’t be returning? Durant has one year and just over $20 million left on his contract. In this scenario it makes sense for the Thunder to try and get something in return instead of losing him for nothing.
Options! (Just assume every offer includes multiple first round picks going to OKC)
Oklahoma City Thunder get Channing Frye, Victor Oladipo and Aaron Gordon
Orlando Magic get Kevin Durant
In pretty much all of these scenarios it’s going to be a team taking a risk on one season of Durant and praying they can re-sign him after the season. It’s going to take youth and players under contracts for multiple seasons to acquire KD. Orlando gives up an explosive young guard in Oladipo and a rangy, athletic wing/forward combo with Aaron Gordon. Frye is needed to make the contracts work.
The Magic could throw out a lineup of Elfrid Payton, Mario Hezonja, Durant, Tobias Harris and Nikola Vucevic. That’s an excellent offensive group, but leaves some to be desired on the offensive end.
OKC would be Russell Westbrook, Oladipo, Gordon, Ibaka and Steven Adams. There’s also the possibility of Enes Kanter in the starting lineup instead of Adams. I like the group I listed because what they lack in shooting they’d make up for in being to get up and down the court in transition.
Oklahoma City Thunder get Nerlens Noel, Nik Stauskas, Robert Covington and the rights to Dario Saric.
Philadelphia 76ers get Kevin Durant
This is the type of situation Sam Hinkie goes to bed dreaming of. He’d have no problem taking the risk and praying he could re-sign Durant much like the Brooklyn Nets did with the Deron Williams trade. There’s no point in looking at Philly’s roster because it wouldn’t be fully developed until making additions in the offseason to entice Durant to stay.
All that I care about with OKC is the chance to watch lineup with Noel and Ibaka together. I’d be obsessed with those two.
Oklahoma City Thunder get Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes, Festus Ezeli
Golden State Warriors get Kevin Durant
This one is the most fascinating one to me. Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News has talked a decent amount about how the Warriors could potentially chase Durant when he becomes an unrestricted free agent… so why not do it a little earlier?!?!?
A deal like this is best case scenario for the Thunder — a core of Westbrook, Thompson, Barnes and Ibaka is damn good. If they get growth and improvement out of their other bigs they might be able to turn into a borderline contender.
Are the Warriors willing to break up a championship team to get Durant? I’d think so because he’d probably re-sign there, and having him plus Steph Curry is absolutely devastating.
Oklahoma City Thunder get Blake Griffin
Los Angeles Clippers get Kevin Durant
Hmmmmm. If the Thunder didn’t sign Kanter this makes infinitely more sense. If you can get Griffin in a deal for one-year of Durant in this position you do it anyway and worry about how the roster fits later. Westbrook, Griffin and Ibaka together would be killer.
The Clippers could throw out Chris Paul, J.J. Redick, Durant, Paul Pierce and DeAndre Jordan as their starting lineup. Yes sir.
Oklahoma City Thunder get Eric Bledsoe, Markieff Morris, T.J. Warren and Archie Goodwin
Phoenix Suns get Kevin Durant
The Suns are another team sitting around begging for a situation like this to occur. Four years of Bledsoe and Morris, three years of Warren and two years of Goodwin is quite a hall for the Thunder. Westbrook and Bled probably ends up as the most athletic, dynamic backcourt in the league, Warren slides in as the starting small forward and Morris fills a variety of potential roles.
Tyson Chandler, P.J. Tucker, Durant, Devin Booker and Brandon Knight is good, but definitely needs some work.
