Lakers get encouraging Kevin Durant trade news during playoffs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers have zero incentive to worry about the offseason in late April.
Despite being short-handed to start the postseason, the Lakers possess a 3-1 first-round series lead over the Houston Rockets and will likely finish off the two-time NBA champions on Wednesday night.
Still, the Ringer’s Michael Pina took it upon himself to report that when the offseason arrives, the franchise could find itself in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes.
“The Rockets thought that KD was their missing piece, and instead, there’s a chance they’ll turn him into a stepping stone this summer,” Pina wrote Monday. “It turns out that your best player shouldn’t also be a mercenary.
"But despite that, the (Miami) Heat, (Minnesota) Timberwolves, (Portland) Trail Blazers, (Dallas) Mavericks, (Detroit) Pistons, (New York) Knicks, (Toronto) Raptors, (Atlanta) Hawks, (Orlando) Magic, Lakers, (Denver) Nuggets, (Charlotte) Hornets, (Chicago) Bulls, (Washington) Wizards, (Golden State) Warriors (Indiana) Pacers, (Utah) Jazz, (Philadelphia) 76ers, (Boston) Celtics, (Cleveland) Cavaliers, (Milwaukee) Bucks, and (Los Angeles) Clippers would all have varying degrees of interest—pending how the rest of these playoffs go.”
As Pina noted, it’s unclear if Durant will be among the Lakers’ trade targets this summer, especially considering that the franchise is still in contention for a championship.
However, a short-lived postseason run could motivate the 17-time NBA champions to inquire about the two-time Finals MVP this summer. Would Los Angeles prioritize landing Durant over Milwaukee Bucks phenom Giannis Antetokounmpo? Probably not, considering that Antetokounmpo is a younger asset with a brighter long-term future in the big leagues.
Still, Durant, like Antetokounmpo, would be a home-run, win-now trade option that would keep the Lakers in the mix for a title in Luka Doncic’s prime.
It’s all speculation at this point, but Los Angeles’ plans will become clearer in the next few months.
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