The Kevin Durant speculation regarding free agency is running wild throughout the NBA and will continue to until the next offseason and everyone from Durant to other players are tired of hearing about it. While Durant has said nothing that would indicate he is planning on leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder, insiders believe the Washington Wizards are gaining speed to sign the former MVP. While that might be exciting for Wizards fans, Bradley Beal does not want to hear about it.
Durant is set to visit Washington as the Thunder play the Wizards on Tuesday and Beal does not want fans cheering for Oklahoma City star. The backcourt star called the idea that fans would cheer for Durant "disrespectful because he plays for Oklahoma City." J. Michael of CSN Mid-Atlantic reported that Beal was not happy when fans cheered for Durant last season and he is hopeful the same thing does not happen again.
Durant made similar statements about the idea of opposing fans cheering for him as the star told the media he has no interest in discussing free agency. It is well known that Durant can head elsewhere next year, but do not expect him to hint at where his mindset is just two weeks into the current NBA season.
"I just try to go about every day, just focus on one day," Durant said, via ESPN.com. "I don't think about the future too hard. I'll worry about that stuff when I get there. I've been saying 'I don't know' for a long, long time, but I'm really just focused on our team, happy I'm playing again, and that kind of takes over. I haven't thought about that. I'll worry about that when I get there. I'm just excited I get another opportunity to play in the NBA tonight and play against a great team."
Beal is likely happy to hear that considering he wants the free agency focus to be on him as he will be looking for a new contract next year after he declined to sign an extension early with the Wizards. According to the Washington Post, the Wizards do plan on chasing Durant, but they can make it work to give both he and Beal new deals in the same offseason
The Wizards are not the only team that plan on chasing Durant. Ian Begley of ESPN.com reports that the Knicks will be taking a look at Durant in free agency. The Los Angeles Times writes that the Lakers will certainly have plenty of interest especially if Kobe Bryant retires. Of course the Thunder will be looking to retain their face of the franchise. Durant might not want to keep hearing about free agency, but everyone will continue discussing it regardless.
