For nearly two years now, the nation’s capital has been at the center of the Kevin Durant free agency rumors. If he does, in fact, decide to leave Oklahoma City, many speculate that the D.C.-area native would sign on with his hometown Wizards. The organization itself added fuel to the fire when they hired former Thunder coach Scott Brooks to a multi-year deal last month.
However, All-Star point guard John Wall remains adamant that, although he isn’t averse to using everything at their disposal to try and recruit Durant this summer, that isn’t the sole reason Brooks was brought into the fold. Via Michael Lee of The Vertical:
“In my opinion, that’s not why we hired him,” Wall told The Vertical. “I feel if [Brooks] can make a pitch, and I can make a pitch and [Durant] comes, it’s great. I think we do need another star here, another great player to [get over] that next hump. You need three stars to win this league.”
It also bears mentioning that Brooks isn’t necessarily a good incentive for Durant to leave OKC. The Thunder were never quite able to get over the hump with Brooks at the helm, and Durant’s former coach took a great deal of criticism for a perceived lack of acumen in terms of how to transform that team into a more cohesive and dynamic unit that extended beyond its two superstars.
What’s more, it’s been widely reported that Durant is apparently now leaning toward signing a short-term deal to remain in OKC, possibly on something like a two-year contract with an option for the second year, which would be good news and bad news for fans on either side as it’ll ensure at least another full year of guesswork and anticipation.
