Welcome to San Antonio, KD!!!

[coachmac87]

A sales pitch that I'm not hearing mutch of regarding KD to San Antonio is the locked in contracts of Pop, Kawhi and LMA. If KD comes to SA he's guaranteed a 3-5yr window with Pop,Kawhi and LMA. That's something that NO team in the league can match...not even OKC.

Everybody assumes KD would and should sign the +1 contract and become a FA with Westbrook. But honestly how risky is that?? There's obviously an injury concern but also the fact there's ZERO guarantee that Westbrook will just re sign in OKC. We can't project the other possible destinations and there's always been the outside speculation that Russ wants his own shine. What would the Thunder team look like?? The team we are seeing now won't necessarily be the same that offseason with Ibaka, Waiters, Adams also possibly coming off the books that SAME offseason.

If Durant even grants meetings with teams and the Spurs happen to be one of them..things will be interesting

[YGWHI]

Agreed. If Leonard is a true superstar like many claim him to be, there would be no need for Durant.

Well, LeBron's a superstar and needed other two like Wade and Bosh to win a le.

Like Tim, Manu and Parker, or Pierce, KG, Allen, or many other Big3s in the history of the league, most times a trio sounds better than a power duo.

But agree with you that both players have similarities in their games, Iso/midrange/3's but the big difference is KD is more a point-foward and Kawhi's a better post-up player.

They need a penetrating guard but KD would replace Parker in some of his duties as penetrator, facilitator and distributor since the Spurs with KD/Parker contracts couldn't sign a younger/faster guard, and Kawhi would take advantage of the space to operate in the post.

Obviously, with KD and Parker in the same lineup and Manu still on the bench, Kawhi won't have opportunities to improve other areas of his offensive game but he/the Spurs will have a big chance to win a ring again.

Also, if they don't win, and he feels he needs to continue improving and can't do it on the Spurs, he could demand a trade to get touches and minutes reaching his prime on other team. The Spurs would still have KD/LMA and could sign a quality big man with that space becoming a more balanced team. A genuine win win situation for everyone.

[rasuo214]

People who say if KD leaves it hurts his legacy or how no franchise player leaves his team to join another. Um, Lebron James? Not only did he leave his team it was his hometown team and he went to Wade's team. Doesn't seem to have hurt his legacy that much, if at all. Also Lebron was a year younger than KD. Not saying KD will leave but it's certainly an option and the Spurs aren't a bad one if he's looking.

[midnightpulp]

HI
I'll just agree to disagree. As I said like 6 or seven spots b4 this one, it's not that I don't want Durant (bc ppl here will spin things that way undoubtedly, although you are not doing that yourself, it's just how things go here....), I don't think he'd fit in seamlessly (ppl gloss over this too but I do think he will consider it) and we don't have the best situation for him. I think he will find better options somewhere else, whether that is OKC (ppl acting like it's a given he leaves are also assuming way too much themselves) and I don't think we'll get him.

How do you figure we're not the best situation for him basketball wise?

In another post you said that OKC has the better team, as proven by them beating us, but you forget he was the primary reason (other than their rebounding advantage) they beat us. We even held Westbrook to below 40% over the series. Him added to LMA and Kawhi is a far better 1-3 punch than him plus Westbrook and Ibaka/Adams/Kanter (take your pick on the Thunder's number 3). I really think this was the Thunder's "peak" season. I just don't see that roster, as it is, improving upon the performance they had this season. KD on the Spurs turns them into a superteam, especially if we figure out how to keep Danny.

I just don't see any better options basketball wise. Wall and Beal are way below LMA and Kawhi. Boston has a nice young team, but they're still a few years away from maturing. Not to mention their best player is a 5'9" PG. What Thomas did this season is likely unsustainable.

I see it being between OKC and the Spurs. He might feel loyalty and have faith that Adams and Roberson (two <25 year old players) can further improve going forward. But joining the Spurs does give him the greatest chance of winning a le in the next 3 seasons, since our core and coach are locked up.

I still see it as long shot, just because the Spurs landing the two biggest FAs in back-to-back seasons would be unprecedented, but there's a lot of logical reasons as to why it makes sense for KD, especially if he's desperate for a le. (Have to remember, he's 28. Clock is ticking).

[cutewizard]

Durant shall arrive at the shores of the Spurs universe!

Book it!

[AFMadison]

How do you figure we're not the best situation for him basketball wise?

In another post you said that OKC has the better team, as proven by them beating us, but you forget he was the primary reason (other than their rebounding advantage) they beat us. We even held Westbrook to below 40% over the series. Him added to LMA and Kawhi is a far better 1-3 punch than him plus Westbrook and Ibaka/Adams/Kanter (take your pick on the Thunder's number 3). I really think this was the Thunder's "peak" season. I just don't see that roster, as it is, improving upon the performance they had this season. KD on the Spurs turns them into a superteam, especially if we figure out how to keep Danny.

I just don't see any better options basketball wise. Wall and Beal are way below LMA and Kawhi. Boston has a nice young team, but they're still a few years away from maturing. Not to mention their best player is a 5'9" PG. What Thomas did this season is likely unsustainable.

I see it being between OKC and the Spurs. He might feel loyalty and have faith that Adams and Roberson (two <25 year old players) can further improve going forward. But joining the Spurs does give him the greatest chance of winning a le in the next 3 seasons, since our core and coach are locked up.

I still see it as long shot, just because the Spurs landing the two biggest FAs in back-to-back seasons would be unprecedented, but there's a lot of logical reasons as to why it makes sense for KD, especially if he's desperate for a le. (Have to remember, he's 28. Clock is ticking).

I'm with you. I'm thinking he stays though. He may feel GS as the only threat out of the west, and should already be on his way to a le. I think it would be different if he himself wasn't part of the collapse.

[cutewizard]

Go Durant, go go Durant Durant!

GO DURANT, GO GO DURANT!

[soxxx]

Nonsense. He's a 27yo superstar. What risk? There is no risk. He'll wait to maximise his next contract in 2017.

Name one superstar outside of Lebron James who has taken a one year deal. There is always a risk, thats why all the stars lock up the money when they can....and really including Lebron to, when he went to Miami he signed long term and not short term.

[cjw]

Name one superstar outside of Lebron James who has taken a one year deal. There is always a risk, thats why all the stars lock up the money when they can....and really including Lebron to, when he went to Miami he signed long term and not short term.

Lebron's year deals aren't even one year deals. They're always 1+1 with a player option. He's also never had injury issues

[tbdog]

Well, LeBron's a superstar and needed other two like Wade and Bosh to win a le.

Obviously, with KD and Parker in the same lineup and Manu still on the bench, Kawhi won't have opportunities to improve other areas of his offensive game but he/the Spurs will have a big chance to win a ring again.

In this dream but unlikely scenario, I see Parker coming off the bench and Mills starting. By having Mills out there, no team can rotate off any player in that starting lineup. It would be just sick. Whereas by starting Parker, he would just be standing in the corner, and I rather have Mills do that. Parker off the bench with Manu, TD would be a nice 3 way punch.

[soxxx]

Lebron's year deals aren't even one year deals. They're always 1+1 with a player option. He's also never had injury issues

Yep, and KD has had an injury already. It would be extremely out of the norm for a player of his caliber to take a one year deal at his age, it just never happens and probably never will.

[UZER]

Didn't read throught the whole thread, but if they lose to GS, what other choice does he have to compete for a ring in his prime?

Plus, the arrogance and lack of respect the Warriors carry themselves with and all the mouthing off they've been doing against the Thunder, as opposed to the respect the Spurs carry themselves with and they have for their opponent would seem to help have an impact on his decision to join the only team that has a chance to beat them that with his help.

[Sean Cagney]

He's gone and he won't be here.

^^^^^

[Mnky]

See this may be the old school mentality in me but I don't see a ring as the only thing, because there should be cir stances tied to winning it. For example in the 90's, Ewing was not going to get all time level credit had he pulled a Lebron and told the Knicks I am leaving to go play with Reggie and the Pacers and he got that ring. There is a lot to be said for sticking it out, and trying to win that ring where you are. He has a great team and probably the best running mate in the league. He is not going to find a better landing spot to carve out his legacy anyway..

Legacy is definitely stronger if you stay one place. If you don't ring though.. I mean today's generation barely remember magic Johnson and Larry bird. Without rings, there's so many new "proclaimed" greats, I find it hard for anyone to be remembered without rings.

[lilbthebasedgod]

Don't want him. BasedGod's curse.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Barring some major inner drama he's signing a 1+1 with OKC. It's in his best interest. There's little risk, he's a young top 5, possibly top 3 NBA player. He's getting a max even if he's injured unless he's hit by a truck or something.

35% of a $110M cap sounds incredible.

[Mal]

Barring some major inner drama he's signing a 1+1 with OKC. It's in his best interest. There's little risk, he's a young top 5, possibly top 3 NBA player. He's getting a max even if he's injured unless he's hit by a truck or something.

35% of a $110M cap sounds incredible.

He can sign 2+1 in SA () and then max the out of salary cap in 2018

[SASdynasty!]

They couldn't teach other playoff choke artists like Porker and Aldridge how to win, how do you expect Durbeta to learn how to win?

[SupremeGuy]

You high? KL hasn't led Spurs to anything.

[Dex]

The posters in this thread ting on Kawhi and Aldridge don't deserve to be Spurs fans, tbh.

[Ibleedslvrnblk]

So let ne get this straight. He is going to leave his squad who took GSW to 7 for a team that his current team beat? Also then gets the LBJ label of being a for jumping ship and takes less shots and probably not the man? Unless he hates RW you all are in dream land....

[baseline bum]

People who say if KD leaves it hurts his legacy or how no franchise player leaves his team to join another. Um, Lebron James? Not only did he leave his team it was his hometown team and he went to Wade's team. Doesn't seem to have hurt his legacy that much, if at all. Also Lebron was a year younger than KD. Not saying KD will leave but it's certainly an option and the Spurs aren't a bad one if he's looking.

LeBron left a horrible situation in Cleveland though, it was a one man team there. It's not even close to OKC's situation where Durant would be leaving Westbrook, Adams, and Ibaka, any one of which is an enormous upgrade over anything LeBron had on his ty 2010 Cavs team.

[tholdren]

LED THE SPURS TO A LE. I do believe bonner got a ring as well. Need to not let your emotions KL you and read the post.

[CGD]

If this has any chance of happening, GSW will have to CRUSH OKC tonight to complete the epic 3-1 comeback. If they lose but come close KD is thinking OKC isn't that far away with one more year of coaching, etc.

[TheGoldStandard]

The Spurs would have to do some financial wrangling in order to get the cap space to consider KD coming to San Antonio. Role Players would have to be brought in to fit the mentality of Spurs and San Antonio isn't really a hot destination.

Realistically who would the Spurs have to move in order to make this happen?