The 2016 list of free agents has some big names, but there is no bigger name than Kevin Durant. The 2011 MVP will have many suitors, but most likely he'll re-sign with the Clippers. There's no fun in making that assumption though, and who knows- maybe GM aburns will be enticed by a sign and trade if he sees this. Working under the a parameters of Durant demanding a max contract and the cap being around $84 million, here's a look at how the other 29 teams could sign him.
(This post is sponsored by the Orlando Magic Trade Block- absorbing your unwanted contracts in exchange for expiring contracts!)
Atlanta Hawks
Draymond Green and Khris Middleton will be entering restricted free agency, which makes this a challenge. Assuming Green signs a max offer, Middleton could be a sign and trade candidate. Even with that, Joakim Noah would have to be dumped off along with Bojan Bogdanovic. Bogdanovic is a hell of a bargain though, so this all seems unlikely. But Green, Durant, Daniel Randle, and James Harden would be a hell of a lineup.
Boston Celtics
No maneuvering needed here. The C's have load of cap room and could still bring back J.R. Smith or Jared Dudley at a discounted price. Paired a potential lottery pick and John Wall, this would instantly make Boston a contender again.
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets would have roughly $15 million in cap space next year. Moving Anthony Morrow or Arron Afflalo paired with releasing Stevie Montelongo would give them just enough room. Moving Jeremy Lamb or Danny Green for a point guard or a big man wouldn't be a bad idea either to make this group well rounded.
Charlotte Bobcats
The Bobcats have full use of the salary cap next year. The only hindrance here would be paying those darned first round picks. It looks at least two of them will be in the lottery, so that eat up some space. Darth could package the worst of the three with CJ Miles or deal a future pick and Danny Granger. This doesn't make much sense though, as the Bobcats are a few years from contending.
Chicago Bulls
A lot of GMs killed Josh for the Harden trade, but coupled with some other moves, the Garbagemen have $33 million in space next season, assuming Carl Landry is declined for next year. Patrick Beverley's restricted free agency complicates matters. Gerald Green and Ramon Sessions could find their options declined or be traded, opening up a lot more space. Maxing Gallinari in this scenario still leaves room for Durant and some supporting players. Durant, Gallinari, and Oladipo is a pretty good trio.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs have $69 million (nice) on the books next year, along with a possible late lottery pick. Moving Orville "Redenbacher" Quarles and Tyler Johnson wouldn't be enough. Moving Jefferson or Paul would do it, and signing Durant would leave roughly $20 million in cap space. If they maintained room into the year after, there's some prodigal son that could return, but that's a story for another time.
Dallas Mavericks
Bradley Beal's upcoming restricted free agency makes this tricky. GM fearthebrow could sign and trade him or move Derozan. Trading Steven Adams would give them just enough space. Durant, Aldridge, and Derozan/Beal would be quite a bit of firepower. Depending on the order of signings, George Hill could be back. Who needs first round picks with that lineup?
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets can shed $12 million by declining Tony Allen, but Andre Drummond's restricted free agency will be costly. If he gets maxed, they'd likely have to part ways with Ersan Illyasova, Al-Farouq Aminu, and Jrue Holiday. That would leave a foursome of Elfrid Payton, Klay Thompson, Durant, and Drummond- not bad.
Detroit Pistons
Maybe this was the long con- even supermaxing the Brow leaves plenty of room for Durant and a surrounding cast. Many GMs will be eating crow of this dynasty is formed.
Golden State Warriors
Wow, talk about some shrewd moves by GM BowToTheBill. Supermaxing Deandre Jordan leaves plenty of space for Durant and a supporting cast. However, he's already let it be known he's got some moves up his sleeve, so this could change after a few sims.
Houston Rockets
Declining Lance Stephenson won't be enough. Moving Ty Lawson or Al Horford or DJ White with Kenneth Faried would get it done, but these moves would leave a barren roster.
Indiana Pacers
GM Pauly P has some contracts that wouldn't be too hard to move. Moving Greg Oden and Luol Deng would leave enough space and give Deron Williams the perfect teammate to ride off into the sunset with.
Los Angles Lakers
Without the cumbersome Miles and Bynum salaries, the Lakers have plenty of cap space going into the offseason. Even bringing back Jared Sullinger leaves plenty of room for Durant and some supporting player. With Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Gustave Lecroix, this would be one of the longest teams in the league.
Miami Heat
Moving Gary Neal would do the trick, but as tantalizing as a LeBron/Durant pairing is, maybe it's time to hit reset and avoid another repeater tax bill.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Quails have $115 million in salary next year, and a similar player in Rudy Gay already. Shipping him off one of Enes "The Disseneter" Kanter or Kyrie Irving with Ed Davis would do the trick, but this move is lateral at best. Doug would probably trade KD after 60 days anyway.
Minnesota Timberwolves
With a bare minimum of cap room, Steph Curry or Kemba Walker would have to be sent packing. One of the intriguing young players would have to go to- Patrick Patterson ought to do it. Wingstop would have to sponsor this team, as they'd have plenty of them.
New Orleans Pelicans
Damian Lillard is getting maxed, so we'll move Greg Monroe and Vernon Norman out. Blake Grffin, Damian, and KD would be a nice trio, but Phil Millburn will have to work on his cardio to keep up.
New York Knicks
GM Inner GI has already shopped Wes Matthews and will have to deal with John Henson and Kent Bazemore entering restricted free agency. Moving a combination of Matthews and Chandler Parsons/Bazemore with Jeremy Lin might be enough, but they might need to ship off Tim Frazier as well. Still, the leftovers with Dooley and Jokic might be enough to be a title contender.
Oklahoma City Thunder
By declining the option on Tyson Chandler, OKC would have more than enough room to sign Durant. Pairing with Jabari Parker could be an awkward fit, not to mention sharing the ball with a shot happy backcourt in Isaiah Thomas and CJ McCollum. What's the likelihood of Durant failing to coexist with a heavy usage guard in Oklahoma City though? Seems like years of success guaranteed and Durant as an OKC player for the rest of his career.
Orlando Magic
Declining James Anderson would be enough, except for the possible issue of three 1st round salaries. Trading one might be enough, but the fit doesn't make much sense here. Kevin Durant probably doesn't want to be babysitting, but management might be crazy enough to do it strictly to flip him after 60 days.
Philadelphia 76ers
A lot of big salaries here, and potentially a late lottery salary. Moving one of the young pieces (Gary Harris, Jusuf Nurkic, or Van Grimaldi) with one of the expensive pieces (Gordo Hayward, DeMarcus Cousins, or Ish Smith) would be be enough, and leave a competitive core.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns have a boatload of room and don't need any cap gymnastics to sign Durant. It's over if they pair KD with Kevin Love (or at least until Love's free agency in 2017).
Portland Trailblazers
Declining Boozer and resigning Derrick Rose leaves plenty of room for Durant and help. They would be stuck waiting on Phil Hogg to develop though, and who knows with the random injuries that seem to strike PDX?
Sacramento Kings
Harrison Barnes already fill a similar role and is a restricted free agent- let's ship him off for future assets. Durant, Nikola Vucevic, and Duran would make for a balanced trio at a reasonable price.
San Antonio Spurs
WESTBROOK AND DURANT, HELL YEAH. This only works if they can move Josh Smith's giant contract. A less enthusiastic "heck yes" if they decline Westbrook for a Smith and Durant pair.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors look like they could use a shakeup. Declining Monta Ellis, moving Evan Turner and Chris Bosh would create just enough space. Whiteside, Lowry, and Durant ain't bad.
Utah Jazz
Our friend Gary has let it be know Andrew Bogut is on the block, and he might be able to move his contract by throwing in a first rounder. Would a Paul George/Kevin Durant duo work? Maybe not, but I wouldn't mind seeing it.
Vancouver (VanMemphis?) Grizzlies
Oof. Talk about a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma, surrounded by a giant tire fire. There's a ton of salaries here- declining Paul Millsap, Tony Parker, and Gilbert Areans barely makes a scratch. Moving Jimmy Butler, Andris Biedrens, and Alec Burks (the unkiller bees? The friendly bees? The B-holes?) frees up just enough space. I'm not sure Durant, Rondo, and Kawhi surrounded by minimum salary vets would be enough.
Washington Wizards
GM Xist has some interesting moves here. Jeff Adrien, Nikola Pekovc, and Thomas Robinson are decently priced and could be moved for picks down the road. If he chooses to keep them the remainder of the season, it gets harder. Letting Pek walk, and bringing back Thomas Robinson at a reasonable salary would still mean moving Tyreke Evans or the duo of Wilson Chandler and Brandon Knight. Carmelo could come back, but that would mean two ball dominant players and another year in the tax.
So what do you guys think? What's the second most exciting destination (because we know the most exciting is your own team)?
