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Power ranking the Kevin Durant NBA 2016 free agency suitors

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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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 /

41. . West. Pacific. Golden State Warriors. 3. player

The Golden State Warriors are the team that seems to be the most likely to land Durant if he doesn’t end up re-signing with the Thunder on a one-year deal. Durant would fill a need at small forward if Olympic teammate Harrison Barnes walks in restricted free agency.

The idea of Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green in the same starting five might make the 2016-17 Warriors capable of going 75-7. It would be the most gifted offensive team ever assembled and Warriors general manager Bob Myers can pull it off because he doesn’t have to pay Curry top dollar for another year.

What makes this potential free agent destination less than ideal for Durant to make is that it shatters his image and the Warriors completely: Golden State would be public enemy No. 1 in the NBA and Durant would be the most reviled player in the league by anybody outside of the Bay Area and maybe some folks in Seattle because Durant completely owned the Thunder in leaving.

Durant is represented by an agency that thinks differently in Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. He’s reportedly more into the tech opportunities of Silicon Valley than he is with the ambiance of Hollywood in Los Angeles.

However, if Durant thinks his fans will continue to support him after jumping the Golden State bandwagon in 2016 NBA free agency, he is sorely mistaken. He’ll be hated more than James was for leaving a poorly run organization in Cleveland to play for the Heat six summers ago. Durant’s beloved image cannot be restored if he joins the Warriors and he has to know that.

Next: 2. Los Angeles Clippers.

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