Kevin Durant is one of the best players of all time when looking at his scoring ability and natural talent. Coming into the NBA at No. 2 overall, everyone knew KD would be a superstar player, and he achieved that in just a few years. He helped make the Oklahoma City Thunder championship contenders, eventually making the NBA Finals in 2012. He also won 4 scoring titles as a member of the team, soon solidifying himself as one of the best to ever do it on the offensive end.
- 5. Toronto Raptors
- 4. Houston Rockets
- 3. Washington Wizards
- 2. New York Knicks
- 1. Sacramento Kings
- Next
- A Suns Trade Offer Of Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, And Five Picks Is Not Enough For Kevin Durant, Says NBA GM
- NBA Rumors: Spurs Could Help Lakers Land Kyrie Irving By Trading For Russell Westbrook And Sending Draft Picks To Nets
- Nets Won’t Trade Kevin Durant Unless They Get Stars Like Brandon Ingram Or Scottie Barnes In Return
- Toronto Raptors Could Land Kevin Durant In A Blockbuster Trade For 5 Players And 4 Draft Picks
- NBA Rumors: Brooklyn Nets Are Looking For ‘High-Level Star Players’ Instead Of Picks For Kevin Durant
KD then joined the Golden State Warriors, where he managed to win 2 NBA championships and 2 Finals MVPs as a member of one of the greatest super teams ever. The superstar forward had his detractors for a move like this, but there is no denying that he still got the job done in the end, defeating LeBron James twice in the Finals. Of course, his Brooklyn Nets stint has been an utter disaster as he (and Kyrie Irving) have been unable to stay healthy and also created a ton of drama on and off the court.
With Kevin Durant’s trade request from Brooklyn looming, critics have come flooding out of the woodwork about the player’s decision to leave a situation once again. Remember, KD left the Thunder to join a 73-9 Golden State Warriors team and then left the Warriors to join forces with another superstar player in Brooklyn. The fact that he wants to leave yet again is not making him look too good at the moment because he is developing a reputation for running away when situations get difficult.
While that is not only a stigma on Durant, as it affects a few other top stars in the modern game, it is still not a good look for arguably a top-15 player of all time. Durant has made it clear that he wants to join two title contenders when he gets his wish out of Brooklyn: the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat. Instead of joining two contenders and further cementing the stigma of him being a superstar player who couldn’t win on his own, he should consider a few franchises that desperately need a player of his caliber. Here are the 5 teams Kevin Durant can join to not only save his legacy but actually boost it to incredible heights.
5. Toronto Raptors
Prior Season Finish: 5th Seed In Eastern Conference (48-34), Lost In First Round Of Playoffs
The Toronto Raptors found championship success through Kawhi Leonard, and they could really find their success with Kevin Durant. The Raptors have not been a significant factor in the Eastern Conference since Kawhi Leonard left, although Rookie of the Year winner Scottie Barnes has been an extremely bright spot. As great as Barnes is, he isn’t KD.
Durant could win a chip for the Raptors because the team has the pieces to be a contender under a great head coach in Nick Nurse. Durant could also be the second superstar in Raptors’ franchise history to deliver a title to Toronto, a rare feat that could boost the player’s own legacy. But it would require a large package to convince the Nets to part ways with their superstar.
For one, Brooklyn will require Scottie Barnes in the trade package. Obviously, the Raptors would prefer to hold onto the Rookie of the Year winner to form a dynamic duo with KD. If Barnes is not included, expect the likes of Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam to be heading to Brooklyn. Throwing in some first-round picks, this deal could get done.
If Kevin Durant can deliver a title to the Raptors, he does something rare that only Kawhi Leonard has done. Durant needs to prove he can win a championship as the “bus driver”, and what better way to do it than following Leonard’s blueprint? Durant can rest his mind knowing the Raptors organization is dedicated to winning and that the superstar can get the right pieces to win it all.
4. Houston Rockets
Prior Season Finish: 15th Seed In Western Conference (20-62), Missed Playoffs
The Houston Rockets are in tanking mode, which is obvious when looking at the moves they have made over the past few years. They blew it up by trading James Harden and eventually let go of Christian Wood and John Wall as well. Currently, the Rockets are going as far as Jalen Green and Jabari Smith will take them, which won’t be too far as things stand.
The young players will become stars one day, but they are far too young and raw to be considered talents who can make the playoffs. But the future is bright in Houston, with guys such as Kevin Porter Jr and Josh Christopher having promising moments last year. One option for Kevin Durant to fix his reputation would be joining this young Rockets team.
Houston is clearly not ready to win, but Kevin Durant has the talent to lead them into the playoffs. Even after trading starting-caliber players in John Wall and Christian Wood, the Rockets might have enough to sneak into the playoffs with KD. Winning the championship is an entirely different story and needs incredible showings from the forward to actually force it to happen.
It won’t be easy, but if Durant can win a chip in Houston, he will do what guys like James Harden and Chris Paul couldn’t do. Only Hakeem Olajuwon was able to deliver NBA championships to the Rockets, so Kevin Durant would join him in an elite class. Rockets fans would surely welcome Durant for a shot to win it all, and if the Nets want Eric Gordon, Jae’Sean Tate, and other pieces, including David Nwaba, for salary matching purposes.
3. Washington Wizards
Prior Season Finish: 12th Seed In Eastern Conference (35-47), Missed Playoffs
The Washington Wizards has always been a destination for Kevin Durant, dating back to the superstar player’s first free agency. Before Durant went to Golden State, the Washington Wizards’ destination was floating around for weeks because Kevin’s hometown is in Washington. Of course, Wizards fans were praying for the 4-time scoring champion to come on board.
It never happens, and the Wizards have been faltering ever since, with only Bradley Beal showing signs of being a franchise cornerstone. Even though Washington missed out on Kevin Durant, they could be in the mix to bring him in right now. The reason? Kevin Durant wants to prove he can win in a market of his choosing as the leader of the team.
Not to mention, Bradley Beal is there waiting after signing a max extension to stay with the team. Durant can form the best offensive duo in the NBA alongside Beal and also start competing in the playoffs. Wizards fans have not seen that since John Wall, and Bradley Beal were together, and there is no question that Durant is a better player than Wall in almost every way without disrespect to the point guard.
If Durant wants to join the Wizards, a massive package centered around Kristaps Porzingis and key players such as Rui Hachimura and Kyle Kuzma would be required. Whatever it takes, the Wizards will strive to sign the superstar forward. Durant could do something incredible by bringing a championship to his hometown city in front of Wizards fans.
2. New York Knicks
Prior Season Finish: 11th Seed In Eastern Conference (37-45), Missed Playoffs
Obviously, the Knicks play in a massive market and need to have superstar players for the sake of their image. Unfortunately, the New York Knicks have not had a superstar since Carmelo Anthony departed the team to join the Oklahoma City Thunder. Without superstars, the Knicks have little to no hope of winning a championship, especially in a loaded Eastern Conference.
If they can find a way to snatch Durant from their neighbor Brooklyn Nets, they could be in the mix to make the postseason and actually compete with the right pieces. They retained center Mitchell Robinson, who could be dangled as trade bait along with current franchise player Julius Randle and other young players, including Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley. Of course, first-round draft considerations would also be required on the part of the Nets.
With Kevin Durant, the Knicks won’t have a problem selling tickets at any point during the season. If they can keep RJ Barrett, they could be onto something with regards to forming a solid perimeter duo. A spectacular coaching job on the part of Tom Thibodeau would also be needed because the players need the right mentality to contend as soon as next year. But this move would benefit Kevin Durant the most, especially if he can bring a championship to New York for the first time since 1973.
If Kevin delivers a title to the Knicks, his legacy and reputation will take a massive boost. Fans have not forgiven KD for his decision to leave Oklahoma City and join the 73-9 Golden State Warriors, and a lot of the fanbase might never forgive him. But one major move that Durant can make will be bringing home a championship to a city that is starving for glory. Durant would also join an elite level of superstars that changed the Knicks forever, including Walt Frazier and Willis Reed, while also doing something that even Patrick Ewing couldn’t do.
1. Sacramento Kings
Prior Season Finish: 12th Seed In Western Conference (30-52), Missed Playoffs
The Sacramento Kings have been somewhat of a disaster for so long that the fan base is practically numb at this point. They traded away franchise player Tyrese Haliburton for a win-now player in Domantas Sabonis to pair with De’Aaron Fox. That is how badly the franchise wants to get back into the playoffs because it has been over a decade since they have been in there.
De’Aaron Fox is a nice point guard with improving offensive skills, but he will need a player like Kevin Durant to take that next step as an All-Star player. The Kings are dying for a superstar player because making the playoffs needs to be of immediate priority to stop the slander of them being a losing organization. There is no doubt that the Kings have not been winners in a basketball sense for over a decade.
Kevin Durant could be a blessing for them, although it would take a massive package of Sabonis, Davion Mitchell, and Harrison Barnes along with a slew of first-round picks. Brooklyn wants starting-caliber players, things Sacramento can provide along with future draft consideration. It won’t be easy, but the Kings could find a way to get Durant.
Obviously, winning a championship with the Sacramento Kings would be Kevin Durant’s crowning achievement. It far exceeds what the forward did with the Golden State Warriors because he could bring glory to arguably the worst team in the NBA. Again, the Western Conference is stacked next year and the Kings will need all their pieces to make it work, even with KD on board.
