5 NBA Teams Most Likely To Lure Kevin Durant Away From Oklahoma City Thunder

5 NBA Teams Most Likely To Lure Kevin Durant Away From Oklahoma City Thunder

By Jason Fletcher

September 16, 2015

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5 NBA Teams Most Likely To Lure Kevin Durant Away From Oklahoma City Thunder

Kevin Durant Thunder — We are roughly six weeks away from opening night of the 2015-16 NBA season, and it will be a season full of will Kevin Durant leave Oklahoma City? Durant will be a free agent after this season and there won't be any shortage of teams looking to acquire his services. The former NBA MVP has said previously that he wants to stay in OKC, but who knows if things will change. Here are the five NBA teams with the best shot at signing Durant.

We are roughly six weeks away from opening night of the 2015-16 NBA season, and it will be a season full of will Kevin Durant leave Oklahoma City? Durant will be a free agent after this season and there won't be any shortage of teams looking to acquire his services. The former NBA MVP has said previously that he wants to stay in OKC, but who knows if things will change. Here are the five NBA teams with the best shot at signing Durant.

5. New York Knicks

Phil Jackson Knicks

5. New York Knicks

Phil Jackson Knicks — Phil Jackson is desperate to make a splash in New York City. He tried every way possible to convince the top free agents from this past offseason's class to sign with the Knicks, but one by one, they all turned him down. After dealing with so much rejection, it's likely that Jackson will pull out all the stops to bring Durant to the Big Apple to play with his friend Carmelo Anthony.

Phil Jackson is desperate to make a splash in New York City. He tried every way possible to convince the top free agents from this past offseason's class to sign with the Knicks, but one by one, they all turned him down. After dealing with so much rejection, it's likely that Jackson will pull out all the stops to bring Durant to the Big Apple to play with his friend Carmelo Anthony.

4. Golden State Warriors

Steve Kerr Warriors

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4. Golden State Warriors

Steve Kerr Warriors — Fresh off of a NBA title, the Warriors are already thinking about the future. Despite having a great opportunity to repeat this season, general manager Bob Myers has his eye on next season and Durant's impending availability. It would likely require some sort of sign-and-trade deal to get the money to match up, but could you imagine Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant on the same team?

Fresh off of a NBA title, the Warriors are already thinking about the future. Despite having a great opportunity to repeat this season, general manager Bob Myers has his eye on next season and Durant's impending availability. It would likely require some sort of sign-and-trade deal to get the money to match up, but could you imagine Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant on the same team?

3. Miami Heat

Pat Riley Heat

3. Miami Heat

Pat Riley Heat — There's no doubt that Pat Riley is still seething from the departure of LeBron James. Riley possesses one of the most competitive personalities in the NBA, and going from four straight NBA Finals appearances to missing the playoffs last year will have him evaluating all options. Signing Dwyane Wade to a one-year deal opens up the financial flexibility to bring in Durant next offseason if Riley can convince him to come to South Beach.

There's no doubt that Pat Riley is still seething from the departure of LeBron James. Riley possesses one of the most competitive personalities in the NBA, and going from four straight NBA Finals appearances to missing the playoffs last year will have him evaluating all options. Signing Dwyane Wade to a one-year deal opens up the financial flexibility to bring in Durant next offseason if Riley can convince him to come to South Beach.

2. Houston Rockets

James Harden Rockets

2. Houston Rockets

James Harden Rockets — The Rockets continue to be connected to just about every top free agent on the market every summer. With the presence of Durant's former teammate James Harden and the best center in the NBA Dwight Howard, the Rockets could quickly become the best team in the Western Conference. Because of Howard's $ 23.3 million player option, the Rockets would have to create cap space, but that's GM Daryl Morey's specialty.

The Rockets continue to be connected to just about every top free agent on the market every summer. With the presence of Durant's former teammate James Harden and the best center in the NBA Dwight Howard, the Rockets could quickly become the best team in the Western Conference. Because of Howard's $ 23.3 million player option, the Rockets would have to create cap space, but that's GM Daryl Morey's specialty.

1. Washington Wizards

John Wall Wizards

1. Washington Wizards

John Wall Wizards — When a player decides that it's time to return home, there's nothing anyone can do to convince him otherwise; just ask LeBron James. Durant was born and raised in Washington D.C., and he routinely goes back to visit family and attend events. With the presence of John Wall and budding superstar Bradley Beal, Durant would have a realistic opportunity to bring a NBA title to his hometown team, and there's no bigger reward than that.

When a player decides that it's time to return home, there's nothing anyone can do to convince him otherwise; just ask LeBron James. Durant was born and raised in Washington D.C., and he routinely goes back to visit family and attend events. With the presence of John Wall and budding superstar Bradley Beal, Durant would have a realistic opportunity to bring a NBA title to his hometown team, and there's no bigger reward than that.

Jason Fletcher is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google+.

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