One reason Kevin Durant should consider every NBA team

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 /

16 of 31

Jan 6, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots the ball around Memphis Grizzlies center Ryan Hollins (20) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Memphis Grizzlies – Rabid fan base

There are legitimate basketball reasons why the Memphis Grizzlies would be appealing to Kevin Durant. Provided the team can re-sign Mike Conley (who is also an unrestricted free agent), Memphis has strong bookends with Conley and All-NBA center Marc Gasol, and even if the rest of the team’s core (Zach Randolph, Tony Allen, etc.) is aging, the Grizzlies have been close enough to the title that Durant could push them over the top.

Because many other teams can make that claim, though, Durant can take solace in landing with a team that has fantastic fans. The Grizzlies are a small market entity, but the building is packed on a nightly basis and this fan base has gone above and beyond to accept the “grit and grind” era with flying colors. Durant would immediately become king of the city, and while that may be the case everywhere, it is especially true in Memphis.

The Grizzlies haven’t been able to gain real footing nationally, thanks in large part to their playing style. Still, this is a very nice basketball team that has been operating at a high level for a long time, and it would be fun to see a legitimate superstar in the middle of it all.

Next: Miami Heat

Home/Atlanta Hawks