In an effort to add a win-now star next to Victor Wembanyama this offseason, the San Antonio Spurs have been linked to both Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo. While Antetokounmpo is certainly the better player, Durant is more affordable and wouldn't hinder their long-term flexibility while still opening a title window.
Last season, Durant averaged 26.6 points, six rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting 52.7 percent from 3 and 43 percent from deep for a fledgling Phoenix Suns team. He is still one of the best players on the planet, and his scoring output would complement Wembanyama very, very well.
There is a chance that the Spurs could land Durant for the 14th pick, a first-round pick, and a matching salary while keeping Stephon Castle and the second overall pick.
However, for all of his prowess, Durant has his shortcomings. He undoubtedly has let his ego get in the way, and he has long-standing feuds with fans on social media, being the rare player to respond to almost every criticism.
One fan called out Durant for playing on his fifth career team next season, which seems likely, given that the Suns are poised to trade him. Durant, aware his "legacy" might be on the line, responded harshly.
Durant is one of the top ten most talented players ever, but by taking the easy road with the Golden State Warriors in 2016 free agency, he prevented himself from ever being labeled one of the ten greatest players.
After the Suns failed to trade him at the trade deadline, Durant is all but guaranteed to be traded this offseason and doesn't want to join a team he has already played on, meaning he will join his fifth team, and the Spurs might be his favorite.
"I think Kevin Durant's another guy that the Spurs, there was mutual interest in at the deadline," reported Shams Charania while covering the Eastern Conference Finals. "I think they're going to be looking very actively to see, is there a wing player we can bring in that could take us over the top?"
While Durant has had his share of career foibles, adding him for a low cost next to Wembanyama should be enough to get the Spurs closer to the NBA landscape, and he seems to know that.
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