Fansided

NBA Rumors: Warriors chances to sign Kevin Durant grew after losing Finals

By Patrick Schmidt

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 /
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If the Golden State Warriors sign free agent Kevin Durant, it could be because the Warriors lost in the NBA Finals to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Golden State Warriors are still reeling after blowing a 3-1 series lead against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. After setting an NBA regular season record with 73 wins and boasting the unanimous MVP in Stephen Curry, the Warriors flat out choked in the Finals.

However, that loss could end up having a silver lining in free agency and their pursuit of former scoring champion and MVP, Kevin Durant, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein. Durant is making a list of teams he will visit and consider if he does leave the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Warriors believe losing in the Finals was actually a positive.

"But the Warriors, sources say, increasingly believe their chances of convincing Durant to leave the Thunder after a successful [nine]-season run were enhanced significantly by the fact that Golden State lost the NBA Finals to Cleveland in seven games despite taking a 3-1 series lead."

Sure, this sounds illogical because blowing a 3-1 lead in the Finals never has any positive ramifications. Needless to say, this is some positive spin from the Warriors who have a shot to sign Durant, but I don’t follow their logic.

Perhaps the Warriors believe losing the Finals would mean Durant could come to Golden State and be the piece that pushes the team over the top? But then again, they won 73 games in the regular season and won the title the year before, so that’s rather hollow.

Maybe, it’s because Durant wouldn’t face the same outside scrutiny for leaving the Thunder for a champion and being labeled a front-runner?

must read: One reason Kevin Durant should consider every team

I’m grasping at straws to understand how it can be a positive. Nevertheless, the Warriors are confident in their ability to create room for him on the court and on their payroll.

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