Fansided

One reason Kevin Durant should consider every NBA team

By Brad Rowland

May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan (left) instructs forward Kevin Durant (35) during the fourth quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan (left) instructs forward Kevin Durant (35) during the fourth quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30, right) is congratulated by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) after game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30, right) is congratulated by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) after game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Golden State Warriors – Forming the unholy alliance

Even before the 73-win Warriors came up short in the NBA Finals, there was talk of Kevin Durant arriving in San Francisco for the 2016-2017 season and beyond. Golden State has rare flexibility for a team with this much talent, as Harrison Barnes and Festus Ezeli are about to hit the free agent market while Stephen Curry makes only $11 million per season. That combination allows the Warriors to clear maximum salary cap space to make a run at one player this summer if they so choose.

The player that makes the most sense in that scenario? Kevin Durant.

The Warriors are famous for being the best “small ball” team of all-time, and replacing Barnes with Durant would make that look even more devastating. Durant is one of the best shooters in the NBA, and pairing him with Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry on the perimeter would make Golden State completely unguardable. Then, the defensive end of the court would be strong as well, with Durant’s length forming a nice addition to Draymond Green on the inside in a lineup that would cause havoc around the league.

Because the Warriors didn’t claim the NBA title, there is room for this scenario to actually, well, happen this summer. If Durant was looking for the clear path to a ring and ease of entry to make it happen, look no further than Golden State.

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