Hoops

Durant headed to Golden State

What did the Warriors do prior to 2015? A first round exit in 2014, semifinals in 2013 and hadn't made playoffs since 2007 before that. What an absolute dynasty over the last decade...

Neck yourself

Passengers aren't usually a first or second option you spud

Not sure there's much else besides LAL and BOS.

Pat Riley is always looking to pull in stars, Dragic is locked up on a long deal so a bit of security in return for OKC, but MIA would have to add Winslow to make that palatable for OKC, not sure Pat would do that.

The bigger markets like the Knicks and Bulls would probably take a look if he was put on the block, despite their offseason moves.

Minnesota? Their PG stock is probably their weak point in their lineup. Rubio not really as advertised, and Dunn is still an unknown quantity. Depends on who they're willing to get rid of, and would Russ be willing to sign long term there?

Other than those, can't imagine anyone else in the running.

Interesting off-season, I feel bad for OKC (even as a Spurs fan who has been frustrated by the bloody bogey side for years!).

Going from nearly beating the Warriors in the WCF to potentially losing the house and all its effects...

Without Durant they won't be nearly as competitive obviously, given Westbrook is sort of on shakey ground in terms of commitment to OKC, I suspect OKC will trade him. The Thunder are a well managed organisation, I don't think they'll be too rash in doing it, I think they'll be methodical in their strategy.

The glitz glamour and fashion of the Lakers looks ideal for Westbrook. Plus LA probably want to get rid of D'Angelo Russell, that gives them something tradeable. Westbrook is 27, the Lakers have a decent set of young players - the question is whether Westbrook is happy to wait a few years for them to develop.

For instant competitiveness, Celtics look a good fit and probably have some tradeable pieces (Net's draft pick?). If I was Rus, i'd bail to the Celtics - he'd have a real chance of being "the man" while getting to the ECF and in the immediate future, not long term like LAL.

Any other options being talked about? I can't really think of any. Jalen Rose proposed the idea Spurs with Lakers/Celtics acting as a third team in the trade, but he loves just saying crap.

Also, if you trade for him, you get his Bird rights. If you sign him on a 1+1 deal in FA, you don't.

Yep Macdub, that is true, but if OKC start shopping him around which they will do, who knows what could be agreed. If OKC or let's say Ainge for example, talk Russ into a sign and trade to gain assets, then the Lakers miss altogether.

Once someone is being shopped, you can't really take the risk of saying "well he loves LA, he'll come to us next offseason".

If I'm the Buss family, and I know Russ the hometown boy who wants to come home, is being shopped around the league for assets, with possible S & Ts being mooted, I throw my hat in the ring.

Both your scenario and this one are quite possible. OKC will do everything in their power to get something out of/for him, and I think Russ wouldn't want to hurt the franchise more than it has already been hurt so he might be able to be talked into a S & T.

I just can't see OKC letting him go for nothing is what I'm long-windedly trying to say. They will be willing to accommodate all parties to at least get a pick for him.

Barkley joined Houston in his mid 30's. Malone took a pay cut at 40 to play with Kobe and Shaq.

That's hardly comparable to joining a team who won a championship and then won 73 games and lost the finals in 7 the next season, while in your prime.

Even Lebron went to Miami and was starting a new team with other stars. Durant is literally joining a pre existing team who have already proven they're championship material.

But then again Speed, you could argue the Lakers have a good chance at getting Westbrook next year anyway without having to give up Russell & Ingram now.

Should they take the punt and bank on being able to get Westbrook in FA without the need to give up guys/picks now?

If he really wants to sign an extension in a new place like the Lakers for example, OKC could do a sign and trade with LAL. That way it's not just a rental and the Lakers would be more willing to give up assets (Russell and Ingram, picks etc).

Would it be too risky for Boston to trade for Westbrook?

I mean what happens if he goes to Boston and leaves in next year's FA to somewhere like the Lakers. (I assume Boston takes over his current contract which 'expires' end of next season?).

Wouldn't that mean Boston could be giving up Thomas and Bradley for example for good to 'rent' Westbrook for a year.

If Westbrook isn't going to sign a long-term extension, he surely won't sign it with Boston.

He wants to go to the Lakers and he wants to sign a new deal there next season so he can cash in.

Anyone that has him in the meantime is just taking on the risk of him leaving without getting anything in return?

They will, then it comes back to what the best deal OKC can do is I guess.

Certainly if he doesn't re-sign, they have to move him. Can't have another star just walk away for nothing and potentially completely cripple the franchise.

Yeah you're right about the Lakers, but if he's being offered around by OKC, then they'll have to move on him if they want him.

The Lakers aren't going to deal with OKC if he's going to end up there as an UFA anyway. They'll have to deal with someone else, like Boston (Thomas plus pick) or Phoenix (one of their guards + pick)
It's an interesting one now with Durant gone as to what his mindset it though - stay and be the No.1 guy or move on.

Yep. He hasn't stated outright that he's NOT staying, but he is not willing to sign an extension this season. So that's a risky proposition for the Thunder. Keep him and hope he signs when he opts out, or trade him now while still under contract and get some players and picks for him?

They wouldn't want to lose 2 top 10 players for nothing. Trading him seems the smart thing to do, and he's a LA boy who went to UCLA. Lakers would throw a lot at OKC to get him there, and they have plenty of assets.

Wants to be a laker, that's what I saw via a few bleacher report articles tweets. He won't stay in okc. Needs to be traded, not willing to sign long term.

Westbrook, who by all reports now wants out anyways.

Really? All the reports I'm reading suggest the opposite.

NBA needs to look into some sort of Franchise tag type situation

*I meant to say I don't care how many rings Durant gets in GWS, obviously

Oh and not just the series either, Curry hit the massive shot in OT- possibly the shot of the season, in regular season to beat OKC...then the series. Rivalry now gone. GONE. Disappointing.

^me

I can understand that Durant has the right to do whatever the hell he wants...

But as an NBA fan, this sucks. Last season we had 4 (maybe 5) teams legitimately competing for the championship, and next season there will be one less. It makes me less interested, not more. What a great series we saw between OKC and GSW. Could've been the beginning of an epic rivalry, instead it's dead and buried.

Oh, and I don't care how many rings Durant wins in OKC- I respect players like Barkley and Malone more for trying to do it and being the man, even though they fell just short. Durant might win a "chip" but he's officially jumping on a bandwagon and riding on the coattails of a team who's already proven they're championship material. Fact.

Vetoing free agents. Jesus

Out of every great point I made, you focus on the Westbrook not to the HOF line. Crazy. He is very good, amazing in spurts, and he may get there, but he has a lot of work to do. The second half of his career could now go either way, but that OKC team was all about Durant, not Westbrook, who by all reports now wants out anyways. Stars have been aligning in the NBA for years, deal with it people.

"Westbrook for exmaple is great, but HOF, not likely."

Um what?

KET - trades can be vetoed (although very rare). Nothing can be done with a free agent signing with a team if it fits within the terms of the CBA.

Step Curry's highly underpaid contract and the new bump in the salary cap makes this all possible.

'If the Lakers were vetoed by the NBA for CP3, why isn't this vetoed?'

Because the NBA owned part of the New Orleans Hornets at the time

Anti competitive behaviour? What an odd term to use. People have over reacted to this so very much. Go back to dissecting Dellys massive contract. Kd made a great business and lifestyle decision deal with it.

Anti-competitive behaviour

If the Lakers were vetoed by the NBA for CP3, why isn't this vetoed?

The Bird, Magic and Jordan comparisons are so pathetic and wreak of hating for the sake of it. Everyone of those players played alongside other HOF's thats a huge deal. Why leave a team with established guys alreadfy there!? Westbrook for exmaple is great, but HOF, not likely. Open your eyes folks, he hasnt done anything that hasnt been happening for years previous. Barkely couldnt win in Philly, traded to a better deeper Suns team. Drexler, left the Blazers for a deep Houston. How dare they!

Magic and Bird didn't need to team up. They both had hall of famers all over the court.

Patience - Durant was in OKC for 9 years...

KD did what is best for him.

Isaac - "no maximum player salary. So, LeBron can get paid $50-80m, but might not have the best team around him."
I like this idea although the middle class players like Delly in the union will never vote for it as it will erode the middle class.

"The NBA has been a joke for years. Back in the day guys like Jordan, Magic and Bird had too much pride to try and team up on the same team then that mindset of trying to make your own team better went out the window in 2010 when LeBron & Bosh bailed on their teams to team up with Wade in Miami because they were fearful of never winning a ring themselves."

Yep an another thing I've noticed is that no one has any pateince anymore.

The concept of waiting and watching teammates improve and work towards the championship is now non-existant. Everyone is looking for a quick fix - get a bunch of stars together in FA and win the thing.

The 90's concept of keeping a core team together, improving and working their way up is gone.

Minnesota could do that with their current core, but knowing the modern day NBA, they"ll probably split up and rebuild if they don't win the thing in 3 years.

Those calling out Durant for this move (especially those attacking his character) need to take a step back and calm down.

Ask yourself this question: if you could join any NBA team right now, which one would it be?

The difference between Durant and pretty much everyone on the planet right now is that he could answer that question and then go ahead and *make it happen*. And he did. And the rest of us are going to see some absolutely amazing basketball as a result.

Unless you're a big Thunder fan and you realise that your team is now in some serious trouble, calm the F down. And if you *are* a big Thunder fan, blame the league for allowing the cap to jump by so much in one year, which is the only reason this is even remotely possible. Don't blame Durant for simultaneously joining the team that wiped his team out in the WCF *and* getting paid at the same time.

The NBA has been a joke for years. Back in the day guys like Jordan, Magic and Bird had too much pride to try and team up on the same team then that mindset of trying to make your own team better went out the window in 2010 when LeBron & Bosh bailed on their teams to team up with Wade in Miami because they were fearful of never winning a ring themselves.

To LeBron's credit he did eventually go back to the Cavs and now won a title with them but this is again rank cowardice by Durant. His team wasn't ever good enough to win a title and then after choking away the WCF to the Warriors turns around and signs with them. If you can't beat them join them.

Modern day NBA on full display once again.

Thinking Steve Kerr ahowed some weaknesses in his decisions in game 5,6,7 and it was hoping that Curry would step up, instead he wasn't firing, getting exposed for his defensive weakness and meanwhile players were left on the bench for a wing and a prayer and love of Curry. I didn't rate his coaching end of finals series. Did he not remember last finals performances by those on the beng saving GSW's ass !!!!

Almost everyone here is right at the same time. It's his call, it abides by the rules, it's taking the easy road, it's great for NBA publicity, it harms parity and uncertainty in the league, etc.

I think Durant's worried about his legacy and not wanting to be one of those guys that got their stats but never a ring (Malone, etc), and probably issues playing with Westbrook.

Really, the NBA should have done more to maintain a level playing field. Now, a team can instantly go from dark horse or contender to rebuilding with one move.

One option I like is the idea of a hard cap, but no maximum player salary. So, LeBron can get paid $50-80m, but might not have the best team around him.

Once they traded Harden for Peanuts Durant as gone.

Wouldn't everyone want to play for Steve Kerr? Money and title chance aside, that would be a pretty strong factor for wanting to go to GS.

I think Bogut was going to be traded not matter what, GSW was getting tired of not being able to rely on him due to injuries.

Probably good for him to go to a new team and get a fresh start with new coaches and trainers.
Dallas is said to have some of the best personnel staff in he NBA so it could work out for him.
If not he is only under contract for 1 season and most teams will have a ton of cap-space again next off-season.

For what it is worth he seems happy about it on social media.

I'm disappointed for Bogey. How has he reacted to being traded to Dallas?

I wonder if Boston would give up nets pick for next year and jaylen brown or isaih thomas for Westbrook???

"No credibility as a person"

Not an overreaction at all

Westbrook could be traded now.

They don't want Westbrook to walk next year without getting something for him

If Westbrook doesn't sign a long term deal, i think they will trade and rebuild again.

Such a sad story. Breaks my heart.

Can't understand why people are even remotely upset with this. The best ever offensive lineup is now upon us. The man has the right to pick his destination, and the bay is an amazing place and that group of guys would be so much fun to play alongside. This salty response is just a bit sad. It's the NBA where amazing happens and sometimes crazy, embrace the chaos!

Comment from the Seattle community:

"Meh, such happens"

No issues with him going to the warriors whether its for rings or money but he has no credibility as a person. He's bagged others for years and said he would always play for OKC, then left them for a team which they had beat in the conference finals but he himself couldn't lift in the final three games.

Of course it's allowed. I questioned why he's doing exactly the same thing now that he was bagging others for doing 6 years ago. Probably fair enough I would have thought.

People are well within their rights to questions the motivations behind a decision like this. If it's simply the best $$ and the chance to win a title, then that's fine. But he hasn't said that, he said it was "based on the potential for my growth as a player" and some crap about the challenge of living in a new city. Garbage.

BUT REALLY HE IS A FREE AGENT AND A TEAM HAS SIGNED HIM ITS ALLOWED

YOU ALL QUESTION DURANT AS A PERSON....

I wondered a similar thing about Bogut Bear. As successful as small ball has been for them, they always had flexibility to have Bogut's defensive presence in the middle. That's gone now.

They're going to outscore most teams regardless now, but defense becomes more important in the playoffs/finals.