I wrote yesterday following the Washington Wizards signing of head coach Scott Brooks, that his connection with Kevin Durant from their OKC days might play a role in bringing the 2014 MVP to Washington. Apparently, that isn’t the case.
Chris Mannix of The Vertical reports Durant isn’t coming to Washington because he’s not keen on playing in his hometown.
“Durant isn’t bound for Washington, friends say, because … it’s Washington, it’s home, and, like so many athletes, Durant isn’t all that keen on returning to play in the city in which he grew up. Friends, family – some real, some claiming to be – all come out of the woodwork in those situations, and Durant, who has tightened his inner circle considerably in recent years, isn’t interested in dealing with them. His lone trip to D.C. this season was stressful, league sources told The Vertical, reinforcing to friends that wherever Durant signs next summer, Washington won’t be it.”
The report is a tough blow for the Wizards. They have the cap space, complementary players, and now the necessary coach for Durant to succeed and be comfortable in Washington. But if he doesn’t want to play there, there’s not much they can do about it. Durant signing with the Wizards always seemed like a pipe dream, and the report would seem to confirm that it was. It’s unfortunate for fans in D.C. that the best player to ever come out of the city won’t make a LeBron-esque homecoming.
Since Durant reportedly won’t join Washington, what other potential team makes sense aside from OKC? Here’s an idea which might make you shit your pants: The Golden State Warriors. As Bobby Marks of the Vertical wrote about in February, Golden State could move around some contracts to make the move possible. Imagine Durant, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green all on the same team? That would be simply unfair.
Wherever Durant goes in free agency, it appears it won’t be Washington.
