NBA: Ramifications of Durant's Decision
Kevin Durant is reportedly leaving the only organization he has ever played for, the Oklahoma City Thunder, for 2-time defending Western Conference Champions, the Golden State Warriors. According to multiple sources, Durant is signing a 2-year/$54 million deal, with a player option after one season. I will discuss the ramifications around the NBA, as Durant departs for the Bay Area.
What this means for the Miami Heat ... The Heat were one of the teams in the running for Durant, attempting to team him up with big man Hassan Whiteside. Now that Durant has shunned South Beach, the Miami Heat will likely re-sign Dwyane Wade. Miami is going to be virtually the same team they were last season. Pat Riley can breathe a sigh of relief because he can bring back Wade, who is the best player in Heat franchise history. However, if Wade decides to leave as well, Miami is really in trouble. A team that consists of just Goran Dragic, Hassan Whiteside, and a questionable Chris Bosh, would not be very good. Riley and company needs to shift their focus from Durant to Wade and make sure they are able to re-sign their shooting guard.
What this means for the Boston Celtics ... The Celtics drafted Jaylen Brown third overall and signed former Atlanta Hawks center, Al Horford, earlier this week. They have already improved from last season, when they finished 48-34 and fifth in the Eastern Conference. Boston hoped the Horford signing would help lure Durant, but they are still better off than last season. They also have the money to go out and sign a max player if they chose to. Danny Ainge is widely regarded as one of the best minds in the NBA and he is certainly not finished making moves. The Celtics will end up being on the top tier of East teams next year, but Boston fans will always wonder "what could have been" if Durant chose to don the green and white.
What this means for the Los Angeles Clippers ... The Clippers seemed like a long shot from the beginning to sign Durant. He clearly wanted to win a title and Los Angeles has not been able to get past the second round. Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan form a formidable big three, but I don't see them improving a lot before next season. They have already re-signed Jamal Crawford, Wesley Johnson, and Austin Rivers, so it seems like the Clippers are bringing back everyone from a team that was eliminated in the first round last season. Durant would have made the Clippers an instant contender, instead, they remain stuck.
What this means for the San Antonio Spurs ... The Spurs needed Durant, almost as much as Oklahoma City did. I know they won 67 games last year and finished with the best home record ever, but the Spurs are finally starting to show their age. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker are all decreasing in energy and skill, and it really showed in the second round against the Thunder. Do not get me wrong, this is still one of the top teams in the Western Conference, and will likely win 55+ games because of Lamarcus Aldridge, Kawhi Leonard, and company, but they really needed Durant to make one last push at a championship. Instead, they will be looking up at the Golden State Warriors, once again.
What this means for the Oklahoma City Thunder ... The Thunder organization took the biggest hit in franchise history with Durant departing for California. They go from the third best team in the league to the middle of the pack, but I don't think they are going to be as bad off as people believe. They are no longer a heavy title contender but this is still a playoff team. After trading for Victor Oladipo, they have one of the best backcourts in the league, as he teams up with MVP candidate Russell Westbrook. Oklahoma CIty is hurting right now but Westbrook will be extremely fun to watch, as the Thunder become his team for the first time. I think Oklahoma City will be fighting for the No. 4-8 seed in the West, as they will clearly miss the best player in their franchise's history.
What this means for the Golden State Warriors ... The Warriors won a record 73 games last season, have won the Western Conference championship two years in a row, won the 2014-15 NBA title, and own one of the best backcourts in league history, consisting of 2-time MVP Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. "The rich get richer." Golden State may go through some growing pains as they adjust to their new small forward, but in the long run, this team is going to be nearly unstoppable. Unless something changes, they are the clear favorites to win the 2016-17 NBA Finals. Curry, Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala, and the rest of the record setting Warriors are going to welcome one of the best players in the world, with open arms. Golden State now has the most talented team in NBA history.
What this means for the rest of the league ... Well, first, it means they rest of the NBA is in deep trouble. The Cavaliers were the only team to win more than three games against them last season (4-5), and now they are looking up at the Warriors as well. Cleveland is still the favorites in the Eastern Conference, alongside the Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers, and Boston Celtics. The Western Conference's pecking order is: Golden State, San Antonio, Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City, and then everyone else. A couple of minor adjustments that will be made, is Harrison Barnes is likely leaving the Warriors. Golden State no longer has the money or desire to re-sign Barnes, so he will be signing with the Dallas Mavericks. Andrew Bogut will also likely be leaving the Bay Area, possibly as a sign-and-trade to Dallas, with Barnes. As a whole, Durant makes Golden State nearly invincible.
Photo Credit: Sportingnews.com.
