Kevin Durant will be one of the most coveted free agents when the Oklahoma City Thunder hits the market in the summer of 2016 as several teams have already expressed interest in acquiring the reigning Most Valuable Player.
Marc Stein of ESPN reported that the Houston Rockets will be among the most active suitors of Durant in the summer of 2016 as their executives are still very determined to form their own big three.
The Rockets tried to look for a superstar to pair up with Dwight Howard and James Harden during the offseason, but they failed to convince Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh to move to Houston.
But in 2016, the Rockets feel that they could make a serious run at acquiring Durant. Sources indicated that Harden, who played with Durant in Oklahoma City from 2009 to 2012, will play a big role in their recruiting pitch.
But aside from the Rockets, the Washington Wizards are also expected to be in the mix for Durant in 2016. In fact, Zach Lowe of Grantland said that the choice will boil down to either the Thunder or Wizards.
"Some teams are optimistic it will be open season, and others have heard rumblings that Durant has already made it known it will come down to the Thunder and Wizards," Lowe wrote. "Nobody really knows. There is also the wild-card possibility that Durant signs a one-year deal so he can enter free agency again in the summer of 2017 - when he'll have 10 years of experience, and this be eligible for a larger contract."
Durant, who has yet to play this season because of a foot injury, praised LeBron James for his decision to return home to Cleveland this offseason. But when asked if he is also open to signing with the Wizards to make his own homecoming, Durant said that he is not yet thinking about it.
"I really haven't thought about that, to be honest," Durant said via NewsOK. "I hear it a lot. But I think I can make an impact on the community I grew up from anywhere. So I think I'm doing a good job of that in Oklahoma. My friends, my family, the kids in my neighborhood, are seeing that. I'm inspiring them from Oklahoma City."
