Kevin Durant has said he can’t control free agency rumors.
But, soon, he will.
When Durant’s Thunder contract expires as the calendar flips from June 30 to July 1, any team Durant signals interest in joining – and more – will go to great lengths to sign him.
What does he want?
The NBA world seemed to stop in July 2010 as team after team flew to Cleveland to woo LeBron, maybe the biggest free agent in league history. That ended with LeBron picking the Heat in The Decision, an infamous conclusion that has caused many to forget how wild and high-profile the rest of the process was.
By contrast, Durant broke news of his extension that summer with a tweet:
Exstension for 5 more years wit the #thunder....God Is Great, me and my family came a long way...I love yall man forreal, this a blessing!
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) July 7, 2010
Every team pursuing Durant will offer a max contract with any terms he desires. There’s nothing to negotiate there.
It will come down to which team best pitches him on everything else.
Durant should enjoy this process and milk it for all it’s worth. Who wouldn’t love people wining and dining you, flattering you and focusing on how they do even better for you?
Some will resent Durant for the attention he receives during free agency, but I say good for him. He earned it with his rare talent in a lucrative field.