The Oklahoma City Thunder have a potentially defining offseason ahead of them with superstar Kevin Durant's free agency, and they're doing everything they can to keep him while exploring other options to help make them better. Here's all the latest news and rumors surrounding OKC's plans this summer:
KD "100 percent" staying with Thunder?
For all the talk about Durant's impending free agency and other suitors, the Thunder still appear to be the clear frontrunner to land him. Forward Serge Ibaka even told TMZ that he's "100 percent" positive that Durant will be back with the team next season.
That echoes the feeling around the league that Durant will sign a two-year deal with Oklahoma City, including an opt-out after one year - opening the possibility that both him and Russell Westbrook will be free agents after next season.
Rockets still hoping for face-to-face with Durant
Durant recently said that he is not considering the Houston Rockets in free agency this summer despite his friendship with James Harden, but the Rockets are hoping they will still be able to have a meeting with KD in free agency, according to ESPN's Marc Stein:
PS: The Rockets, I'm told, remain hopeful they get a July face-to-face with Kevin Durant despite knowing they're not presently in contention
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 11, 2016
Thunder to trade for Love if Durant leaves?
If KD does decide to sign somewhere else, CBS Sports' Matt Moore suggests that the Thunder would try to find a replacement by trading for Kevin Love:
One sneaky move they [Thunder] might want to look at: should the Cavaliers be ready to move on from Kevin Love, the Thunder could guarantee Morrow, offer Serge Ibaka, Nick Collison, and a future first-round pick (not until 2020; they already owe their 2016 and 2018 first-rounders in trades) and see if the Cavaliers bite on Ibaka's production and defense. It wouldn't be the best package the Cavaliers can get for Love, but might provide them the best replacement option.
Love and Westbrook played college basketball together at UCLA and have remained friends. Cleveland is expected to make Love available for trade if they lose to the Warriors in the NBA Finals.
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