Kevin Durant (Photo : Twitter)
The Washington Wizards are pinning their hopes on former MVP Kevin Durant. They have taken an all-in approach to recruit him.
However, free agency is not as easy as it once was. Prying a player from his home team is more difficult than ever with the current CBA. It's not a good option money-wise.
Frankly, the only reasons for leaving a team are that they're downright awful or if there is conflict within the team. For Kevin Durant, the Oklahoma City Thunder is far from awful-probably the most talented in the league. And so far, Durant and Westbrook have been best buds.
In fact, the Wizards do not have any player who would be considered better than Westbrook (perhaps you can count these players on one hand). Washington has a good, young team but it's another issue whether one would leave the Thunder to join them.
So how will the Wizards take the next step from a middling playoff team to legit contender?Fan blog Wiz of Awes has explored the possibilities, and this is their conclusion.
"Players are going to become available via trade that aren't currently available," they surmise.
"For instance, if the Sacramento Kings are awful again (and I think they will be), then the DeMarcus Cousins(sic) really has to go. Another losing season will only cause more tension between Boogie and the rest of the franchise. At that point, it wouldn't surprise me if he becomes available. Washington will have room to absorb him."
The Wizards could pull a package centered on Nene's expiring contract, but the Kings are not interested in cap space since they were not really a free agent destination. They might prefer rookie deals-and young assets. It would also reunite John Wall with Cousins, his Kentucky teammate.
Another longshot: "..my plan A would be to target another star player through trade (could Kevin Love become available?) and my plan B would be to sign multiple, solid, role players."
The Cavs would need the cap space so Nene would be an asset for them, but it would take a real disaster to force the Cavs to even think about trading Love.
