If the Phoenix Suns trade Kevin Durant, could he end up going back to the Oklahoma City Thunder where it all began?
The latest odds have the Thunder favored as Durant's next team if the Suns decide to move on from him, per Bet Online Sportsbook.
Oklahoma City has been given +300 odds to land Durant. The Miami Heat and New York Knicks come in at second and third.
The Thunder making a move for Durant now would actually make some sense considering they just finished with the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference this past season. They were ultimately eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks in the second round of the playoffs.
Durant teaming up with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren would certainly be intriguing and would potentially make OKC the favorite to win the West next season.
But do the Thunder really want Kevin Durant?
Of course, the idea of Durant sounds great in theory. He has been one of the best players in the NBA for a decade (if not more), and will go down as one of the greatest scorers to ever play the game. He also has a couple of championships under his belt, so he knows what it takes to win in the playoffs.
That being said, there is some baggage that comes with Durant.
For example, Durant has apparently caused some issues within the Suns' locker room. That wouldn't be the first time that has occurred, as he also became distant during his time with the Golden State Warriors, and he wasn't exactly a good soldier with the Brooklyn Nets, either.
It's also questionable how Durant would handle the Thunder being Gilgeous-Alexander's team. Durant is used to being the focal point, which was why he encountered issues with the Warriors. Even now in his older age, Durant may still want to be seen as “the guy” for whichever club he plays.
Would he be the best influence on a young Oklahoma City squad?
From a production standpoint, there is no doubting Durant. He averaged 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, five assists and 1.2 blocks over 37.2 minutes per game on 52.3/41.3/85.6 shooting splits this past season. However, in spite of also having Devin Booker and Bradley Beal on the roster, the Suns won just 49 games and were swept in the first round of the playoffs.
Durant is also 35 years old and will be 36 by the time next season starts, so a decline is possible in the very near future.
Obviously, the thought of a Gilgeous-Alexander/Durant/Holmgren trio is tantalizing. Offensively, it would be one of the most talented groups in basketball. We just don't know how Durant would fit into the locker room. It clearly did not work out in Phoenix, and he seemed aloof at some of his other stops, as well. Who is to say Durant wouldn't do the same thing in a return to OKC?
The storyline would certainly be fantastic. Remember: Durant spent the first nine years of his career with the Thunder organization and won an MVP there in 2014. You just have to wonder how quickly the novelty would wear off.
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