The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly in the mix as potential destination for reigning NBA MVP Kevin Durant, when he becomes a free-agent two years from now, a source close to situation reported on Friday.
In a recent column by Sheridan hoops founder and editor-in-chief Chris Sheridan, he tackled a story of Maryland head coach Gary William's thought about Durant leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder to return home and play with the Washington Wizards.
"This story is being driven by Maryland coach Gary Williams saying it wouldn't surprise him at all for Kevin Durant to go back to DC and play for the Wizards." Sheridan pointed out in his article. "Of course, it's two year's away, that's a long time into the future but summertime is when we talk about free-agency and what players might do in the future."
However, Sheridan stressed in an interview with CineSport's Noah Coslov that the Lakers can also make a run for Durant because of the large cap space they are going to have once Kobe Bryant's two-year, $48 million deal expires in 2016.
"I don't think you can really say that," Sheridan said of two-team race between the Wizards and Thunder. "Look, the Los Angeles Lakers is going to have a ton of cap room when Kobe Bryant's contract expires after the 2015-16 season. So you're not going to know the NBA landscape two years from now, much less one year from now."
Moreover, the bright lights of Hollywood and the chance to play for a historically successful team could also attract Durant to take his talent to the west coast and become the Lakers' next franchise player.
Another scenario is the Lakers eventually sign both Durant and Bryant, who must accept lesser money to make this deal work. The combination of Durant and Bryant would immediately make the Lakers formidable; however, an upcoming TV deal that would push the salary cap ceiling higher is going to help the franchise surround the duo with enough talents to win a title.
Kevin Durant averaged 32.0 points, 5.5 assists and 7.4 rebounds per game to win his first ever MVP award. Despite Russell Westbrook's injury-marred season, the Thunder were still a dominant force in the playoffs before they lost to eventual NBA champion the San Antonio Spurs in six games of their Western Conference finals series.
The Lakers, on the other hand, missed the postseason last year but put up a roster consists of veterans (Carlos Boozer, Jeremy Lin and Ed Davis) and young players (Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson).
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