With NBA media day in full swing before training camp begins, one of the hot topics of discussion is the future of Kevin Durant. By now it has been well reported that Durant is going to be a free agent come next offseason with the option of leaving Oklahoma City for somewhere else if he so chooses. That means several teams are aiming to line up and win the former MVP over and the Washington Wizards are hoping the hometown factor puts them in the lead.
The Wizards are expected to go after Durant the second he steps foot onto the free agent market. Durant is from the area and many hope he is planning tom "come home" like LeBron James did with the Cleveland Cavaliers. John Wall has heard the talk regarding Durant and Washington and the point guard plans to do some recruiting for the Wizards when the time comes.
There's gonna be an opportunity to throw a pitch at him to try to get him to come back home," Wall said, via Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic. "But I know one thing of just knowing him he's going to be very focused on taking care of Oklahoma City this season, and I'm going to be focused on taking care of the Washington Wizards. But when the time is right and he can get away from all that, yeah, we'll probably have some conversation and throw a pitch."
Wall is of course the biggest selling point the Wizards have for Durant. The Wizards are not the only team though chasing the star. The Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers have all been listed as potential landing spots for the MVP. For his part, Durant is staying coy about his future and when he intends on playing in 2016 as he stresses focus on the year ahead.
"I love it here, man. I love my teammates, I love the city, I don't really think about anywhere else," Durant said, via Revolt TV. "I hear it all the time, don't get me wrong, and once you hear it you're kind of like [looks up, thinking]. But for me, I love staying in the moment, and I'm one of those guys that would love to stick it out with one team my whole career."
For now, the Wizards must take their focus off Durant and put it on the year ahead. Right now, Bradley Beal's contract is a topic of discussion as the Washington Post reports talks of that deal have stalled. Meanwhile, Kelly Oubre is coming in as he and Otto Porter are expected to battle. Beal and Oubre could be two more selling points for Durant if they develop well this season.
