Kevin Durant (Photo : Getty Images)
The LA Lakers got the no.2 pick in the Draft and their coach for the future, but they're not ready to play with the big boys yet.
In a feature on USA Today, Sam Amick revealed which teams have a meeting with Durant-and which teams will not.
"So on July 1 when the Thunder, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat start to come his way to discuss the prime years of his career, he will be all ears," Amick declared.
While Durant has openly stated that he wants to experience being a free agent, he will still do it on his own terms. The "wine-and-dine" may not be his style and he doesn't want to extend the process nor have meeting with teams that he's not really considering. That being said, Amick deals the death blow.
"Despite years of speculation about Durant possibly signing with his hometownWashington Wizards or the Los Angeles Lakers, a person with knowledge of his situation told USA TODAY Sports that those two teams are not expected to land a meeting with the former MVP."
Amick says the jury is still out on the Knicks, which is basking in the recent optimism after acquiring Derrick Rose from the Chicago Bulls. Perhaps Durant could consider the Lakers if they trade for a veteran-like DeMarcus Cousins?
There were rumors swirling about the Sacramento Kings pursuing D'Angelo Russell and they also drafted two centers in the draft. However, the Kings have been known to make puzzling moves in the draft which is why it's challenging for them to make the postseason.
It seems that for players who have tasted success, they will never take a step back. Despite the potential and upside of the Lakers roster, they will never be as competitive as the teams mentioned above-even the Celtics. As Kurt Helin of NBC mentioned, the timeline for the Lakers should be next year.
"The Lakers are a year away from really getting into these conversations. The addition of Brandon Ingram to D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, and Larry Nance- with Luke Walton coaching - has potential to grow into the kind of team stars will want to join and take over the top. But that's going to be in 2017 and 2018, not this summer," Helin wrote.
The Lakers need to show the league how much they've improved from a 17-win team. Despite all the positive talk about the roster and how the young core will improve, players cannot stake their futures on potential that they haven't seen on the court yet.
If Durant signs that one-and-one deal and become a free agent again next season-we'll see.
