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NBA free agency: 5 places we’d hate to see Kevin Durant sign

By John Buhler

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 28: Kevin Durant
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 28: Kevin Durant /
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May 8, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) brings the ball up the court against San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first quarter in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) brings the ball up the court against San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first quarter in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

San Antonio Spurs. 5. player. 29. . West. Southwest

One of the teams that has been linked to seriously going after Durant this summer is the San Antonio Spurs. With San Antonio arguably being the best run organization in the NBA for the last 20 years, signing with the Spurs could be a very pragmatic decision for Durant to make in free agency.

With the big three of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili rapidly decline, Spurs general manager R.C. Buford and head coach Gregg Popovich could usher in a new big three if Durant were to sign with the Spurs. Kawhi Leonard is now a top 10 player in the league and LaMarcus Aldridge was the biggest signing of free agency last summer.

Though a new big three in San Antonio with Aldridge, Durant, and Leonard would be a serious threat to win the 2017 NBA Championship, the Durant signing would probably do the unthinkable in San Antonio and turn the Spurs organization into public enemy No. 1.

Getting the best player available in free agency in back-to-back summers in Aldridge and Durant would in essence re-brand the Spurs from a team that builds champions through the NBA Draft into a team that is buying an NBA Championship with star players from other teams. It would only hurt the Spurs from a public relations stand point and Durant will be the fall guy if the 2016-17 Spurs don’t win a title.

Next: 4. Los Angeles Clippers.

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