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5 teams Kevin Durant should sign with next season

By John Buhler

Feb 24, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. The Thunder beat the Mavs 116-103. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. The Thunder beat the Mavs 116-103. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 23, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) moves to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) during the 2nd quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) moves to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) during the 2nd quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

Pacific Division. Los Angeles Lakers. 3. player. 20. . Western Conference

When the Kobe Bryant era with the Los Angeles Lakers comes to a close at the end of the 2015-16 NBA season, the Lakers organization will likely look to speed up their rebuild to have a winner as soon as next season by bringing in top-tier talent in free agency.

One player the Lakers should consider is Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant. Durant would in essence go from the smallest NBA market in Oklahoma City to the biggest stage in the Association in the Staples Center in Los Angeles by joining the Lakers. It’s hard to imagine, but he’d be an even bigger superstar than he is now if Durant were to join the Lakers this summer.

They’ll likely need a new coach over Byron Scott, but the young Lakers roster probably has some talented pieces than Durant could enjoy leading in the coming years. When they are not being put in difficult situations by Scott, the young corps of D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, and Larry Nance, Jr. are an interesting group a proven veteran may want as an up-and-coming supporting cast.

Durant would get some backlash because he would be joining the Lakers, but it wouldn’t be anywhere near what he would receive should he go to the Golden State Warriors. It would take some time, but Durant could be the leader of a new era of Lakers dominance. Los Angeles would be a playoff team as soon as he arrives, capable of winning a series just because he’s wearing the Purple and Gold.

It would be a tad bit of a rebuilding process if he joined the Lakers, but his NBA legacy would actually improve if he were to lead a new group of Lakers teams to NBA Championships before he calls it a career. He would garner a level of respect for leaving behind something good to potentially build something great.

Next: 2. Los Angeles Clippers

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