5 reasons Kevin Durant should sign with the Lakers

4) The Lakers Could Turn into the 2012 Thunder

As noted, there is a decent core in place with Julius Randle, D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson. Add in the possibility of Ben Simmons being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers this summer, and it could be that much better.

The 2012 version of the Oklahoma City Thunder was arguably the best core with Kevin Durant on the team. He, Russell Westbrook and James Harden were three offensive forces that could dominate games, making this team that general manager Sam Presti created a unique one.

However, once Harden was traded to the Houston Rockets, the Thunder were never as good as that NBA Finals runner-up team.

If Durant goes to the Lakers, there is the potential to recreate the magic of that team.

The future NBA Hall of Famer would fit the same role he did in OKC. Simmons would then join KD as another tall scorer and become a matchup nightmare. Then if Russell or Clarkson can blossom into a 20 PPG scorer (the latter may be more likely given his 15.2 PPG in 2015-16), there is a possibility the Lakers could have a three-headed dynamite offense going forward.

It’s all a big “if”, but if the stars align, it could happen.

Next: No. 3 Scott Brooks