Let's get one thing straight. Kevin Durant is one of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball. He could retire at this very moment, or heck even three years ago and he'd still end up being a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
While he owns one of the most decorated resumes of any active player in the NBA, he has also had one of the most contentious careers among many of the all-time greats. His skill level has inarguably been that of a top-10 player ever, but the question marks throughout his career have knocked him down a few pegs in the eyes of public opinion.
The former MVP has made it clear that he doesn't care about any outside noise and just wants to play basketball with nothing left to prove. But whether he likes it or not, Kevin Durant's legacy will still be measured amongst his legendary peers largely based off not just what he was able to accomplish – but the context of how he did so.
It's still uncertain where Durant is headed this offseason, or if he even leaves the Brooklyn Nets at all. But if he ultimately decides to force his way out, the Portland Trail Blazers potentially offer the best scenario for him to freshen up his reputation.
Both Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nurkic have already made it known that they would welcome Durant with open arms, not that there was any doubt. But it may be a mutually beneficial move in the long run if the KD photoshops in a Blazers uniform turn into photoshoots.
Damian Lillard posted this photo with Kevin Durant on Instagram 👀 pic.twitter.com/a5DpWxqaqA
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 25, 2022
Here are four (4) reasons why a potential KD-to-Blazers scenario could be the best move of his career:
4 reasons Kevin Durant must make Blazers move to refresh his legacy
#1 – Blazers' major roster flexibility
The Blazers had previously been known for overpaying non-stars and role players way more than anyone else would. In the infamous summer of 2016, they signed the likes of Allen Crabbe, Evan Turner, Meyers Leonard, Festus Ezeli and Maurice Harkless to hundreds of millions worth in guaranteed money. Safe to say the buyer's remorse ran amuck in Blazers fans' minds throughout the years that followed.
But 2022 is a different story. Portland has kept a virtually clean sheet and are among just a handful of teams with serious salary cap flexibility going into next season. They have Damian Lillard locked in for over $40 million annually over the next three seasons. They have Josh Hart making just shy of $13 million. Then the rest of the roster is comprised of rookie contracts and easily movable deals for young players worth less than $5 million per year.
Even after adding Kevin Durant via trade, they could conceivably maneuver to sign a marquee free agent like Bradley Beal or Collin Sexton to form a formidable trio or divvy it up to sign additional depth.
They're also one of the few teams who actually have serious enough trade powder to offer the Nets an enticing package in return for KD. Aside from an assortment of picks, they also have breakout star Anfernee Simons who could be the centerpiece in any sign-and-trade play. Newly selected top pick Shaedon Sharpe is also an attractive asset.
#2 – Winning in Portland offers a serious challenge
While the Blazers would offer KD a flexible roster with an established superstar in Lillard along with a couple of solid vets in Josh Hart and Jusuf Nurkic, who would re-sign in a heartbeat if a move was consummated, it's still far from a super team.
Portland would provide Kevin Durant with just the right amount of support, which would be in stark contrast with his star-studded supporting casts in Golden State and Brooklyn. That's ultimately the level of adversity that Kevin Durant needs to face in order to quell the critics who have casted doubt on his two championship rings with Stephen Curry and the Warriors.
If Kevin Durant can win a championship in Portland, he would become celebrated as a franchise savior and beloved by a fan base that's long been desperate for things to go right for once.
We saw how things shook out with Kawhi Leonard back in 2018. He ruffled some feathers when he turned his back on the San Antonio Spurs franchise but turned into a folk hero for an entire city and warmed the hearts of outside observers when he helped lift the Toronto Raptors to a title. KD could go down that same path if he wins one of the Blazers.
#3 – Greg Oden
This one doesn't need a lengthy explanation.
The only way for KD to fix his legacy is teaming up with Dame in Portland and winning a chip for the team that passed on him 👁 pic.twitter.com/EvGJQjuVxq
— Blazers Palace (@blazers_palace) June 22, 2022
Every single Blazers fan knows that they passed on Kevin Durant to take Greg Oden in 2007. Wouldn't it be poetic justice for KD to join them 15 years later and win them their first title in 45 years? You couldn't script it any better. Make it happen, Kevin.
#4 – Getting Damian Lillard his damn ring
Winning a title for Portland would be tremendous. But winning one alongside Damian Lillard would perhaps be the biggest feel-good story imaginable going among teams vying for a title next season.
In the same vein that fans point to Stephen Curry not needing Kevin Durant's help to win more rings, everyone knows that Damian Lillard needs someone like Kevin Durant to help him win his first one. KD would be the clear-cut best player
Lillard has been the poster boy of loyalty to a small market franchise alongside Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo. But he just hasn't been fortunate enough to have his loyalty be rewarded with a title after sticking with the same team for a decade now.
NBA careers are often measured by statistics like number of rings and All-NBA selections. But the narratives that surround a player's career often weight just as heavily. If Kevin Durant wins with the Blazers, he not only will he legitimize himself as a no-questions-asked NBA champion, he'd also be crowning Damian Lillard a champion.
There's no better situation for KD to change the narrative of his own career than helping Damian Lillard on the Blazers.
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