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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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Nov 30, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) guards Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Thunder 106-100. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) guards Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Thunder 106-100. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Hawks. 2. player. 125. . East. Southeast

Though the Atlanta Hawks might be in the process of undergoing a rebuild since trading Jeff Teague to the Indiana Pacers and the threat of Al Horford possibly walking away in free agency, Atlanta on paper was one of the better places for him to sign this summer that he would never consider.

Atlanta needs to upgrade their wing positions and haven’t had a go-to late-game scorer since parting ways with Joe Johnson years ago. Durant could be a star player on a team that could now challenge the Cavaliers to win the East with his arrival in Atlanta.

While Atlanta would offer Durant a lot of the things he’d be looking for in free agency, if he were to sign with the Hawks, everybody outside of Metro Atlanta would destroy him on social media for it. Given that Durant has faced almost no criticism in his nine years with the SuperSonics/Thunder, the amount of hate he’ll get for signing with the Hawks would be something he’s never experienced.

It’ll look like a money grab and would catch most NBA fans off guard if he signs with Atlanta. Though Atlanta on paper does satisfy potential Durant free agency requirements, it’ll be hard for him to justify his decision to the Hawks if Atlanta doesn’t win the Eastern Conference in 2017. Even if he does lead Atlanta to the 2017 NBA Finals, it’s still bad optics for his brand as an adored superstar in the NBA.

Next: 1. Golden State Warriors.

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