The free-agent frenzy that was the summer of 2014 saw LeBron return to Cleveland and ‘Melo remain in New York. In 2015 we could see Kevin Love finally change uniforms, and in 2016 all eyes will be on Kevin Durant.
The reigning NBA MVP will be an unrestricted free agent in 2016, and one team may already be preparing to make a run at him.
According to the Washington Post, the Wizards hired David Adkins as a player development assistant. Adkins was a member of Brenda Frese’s coaching staff at the University of Maryland the past five years and the longtime assistant coach at both Maryland powerhouse prep schools, DeMatha Catholic and Montrose Christian.
Why is that relevant? Durant played his high school ball at Montrose Christian. Perhaps adding his former coach to the Wizards’ coaching staff will make Washington a more attractive option when Durant becomes a free agent.
With John Wall and Bradley Beal as two young, up-and-coming stars in the backcourt, as well as Marcin Gortat manning the center position, the Wiz could be one of the better fits for Durant if he decides to leave Oklahoma City.
When he’s a free agent, Durant will only be 28 and will likely be in line for a max contract. Currently, only Wall and Martell Webster are under contract through 2016, while the Wiz hold a club option on Otto Porter Jr. Beal will be a restricted free agent.
Washington seems to be in a good state financially to make that kind of pitch to Durant.
For now, let’s consider the Thunder the favorite to retain Durant. But also factor in that the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers will likely be in the mix to try and land Durant. New Knicks coach Derek Fisher played alongside Durant with the Thunder the past two seasons, while the Lakers will be gearing up for the post-Kobe era.
Hey, 2016 is only two summers away.
