The Kevin Durant sweepstake is officially on, and plenty of NBA teams must be already preparing their pitch to lure the OKC Thunder superstar once free agency opens.
With the Thunder's season disappointingly put to an end by the Golden State Warriors, OKC fans now shift their focus to Durant's future with the team. Durant, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent in July, is arguably the most coveted player in this year's class, with many NBA teams already being linked to the four-time scoring champion.
Durant has several options in free agency, although there are only few who are considered as favorites to pursue the 27-year-old forward. One of the teams who could be real contenders to acquiring Durant this summer is the Miami Heat, according to NESN writer Pat Bradley.
"Pat Riley might be the best recruiter in NBA history, so this is a notable sleeper destination. Miami has about $46 million to spend in free agency. This becomes more plausible for the Heat if Chris Bosh is medically forced to retire, or if they trade his nearly $24 million cap hit," Bradley wrote.
While it may be intriguing to see Durant as the next star to take his talents to South Beach, the Heat faces a difficult task of maneuvering moves to sign the Thunder star.
The Heat are projected for a max cap space of $36.6 million, which would suffice to offer Durant a max contract. However, Miami has plenty of things to consider before focusing their attention to Durant, according to Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel.
"While the Heat would have the required salary-cap space to sign a top-tier free agent such as Durant this summer, it would require a bit of maneuvering, with Dwyane Wade and Hassan Whiteside also impending free agents," Winderman wrote.
Wade and Whiteside, both soon-to-be free agents, would likely command a max contract from the Heat, but considering the amount of salary cap space Miami would possess in the offseason, there is a growing sense D-Wade would be the only one signing a max deal. This potential scenario makes it harder for the Heat to pursue Durant, who is also expected to earn max money in free agency, unless they trade some of their core players or as noted above, medically force Bosh to retire.
With Durant closer to getting back at the NBA Finals, many believe he would stay with the Thunder for another run at the elusive title he so desperately wants to win. According to Bradley's prediction, Durant, who is seemingly on a win-now mode, would not give up on the Thunder just yet and remain with the team on a "two-year, max-level contract with the Thunder with an opt-out clause after next season."
It probably is the most realistic scenario to happen in July, with the Thunder displaying the potential to consistently contend for a title following impressive performances from the likes of Steven Adams, Enes Kanter and Andre Roberson. But there is always the possibility of Durant moving to the Eastern Conference for a better shot at winning a championship, something Lebron James did when he joined the Heat.