NBA Rumors: Teams may try to lure Kevin Durant by hiring Kevin Ollie
By Josh Hill
Kevin Durant’s free agency period is still a few years away, but it seems free agents are always talked about in the NBA even if there are a few seasons left in-between now and when their contacts actually expire. We heard about LeBron James opting out of his Miami Heat contract this summer all the way back in 2010 when he signed originally, so it comes as no surprise that Durant is being subjected to the same discussions.
But when it comes to Durant, there are already rumblings about how teams will make a run at him and one NBA executive is saying that UConn head coach Kevin Ollie could play a factor. In his ESPN Insider’s Only piece, Jeff Goodman noted that he was told by an NBA executive that NBA teams who go after Durant may throw the ATM at Ollie to help use him as bait.
More from NBA
- NBA insider: Cavaliers should consider trading Donovan Mitchell
- NBA rumors: Hawks trade candidate, Sixers miss out, Lakers almost lose Reaves
- NBA insider explains real reason the Grizzlies were done with Dillon Brooks
- Knicks projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
- Rockets projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
This makes sense because Ollie was a teammate of Durant back in 2009-2010 when they both played in Oklahoma City. But the question is whether or not Ollie is that big of a draw for Durant, despite whatever respect he may have for him. It’s impossible to say now, but there’s a chance we could see Ollie’s trip back to an NBA bench happen not this summer but in 2016 when Durant is able to sign anywhere he wants.
Of course, this is all assuming Durant doesn’t re-sign with the Thunder beforehand and that Ollie doesn’t jump to the NBA prior. Still, it’s one of the million scenarios to consider but you’d be wise to not consider it seriously at this early stage.