NBA Free Agents 2016: Kevin Durant Says Wizards Free Agency Tactics Are Disrespectful
Oklahoma City Thunder superstar forward Kevin Durant is set to become the most wanted free agent in the history of the NBA in 2016. The 2014 MVP talked about free agency via USA Today and mentioned that he finds the Washington Wizards' tactics as disrespectful.
"The January 22 visit was kind of disrespectful because you've got a great team there already that deserves your full 100 [percent] support. I wouldn't like that if I was on that team. I didn't like that," Durant said.
That happened last season when the Thunder visited Washington with fans having a lot of "KD2DC" and Durant in a Wizards jersey signs. The Wizards got into recruitment mode when they showed KD in a Wizards jersey on their jumbotron as well as a "Come Home KD" video during the 105-103 overtime Thunder win.
"Free agency is like a season now, and it shouldn't be that big. You should focus on who you have on your team. It's easy to get your hopes up and expect a guy to come to your team or whatever. You get your hopes up as a fan, and then they let you down and you end up not liking the player. There's a little bit too much emphasis on that type of stuff, but its part of the game," KD added.
The Wizards also delayed the extension talks with Bradley Beal so that the team will have enough salary cap space to sign KD. After that, they can still re-sign the young shooting guard to an extension, per CBS Sports. Durant also felt weird for Beal and John Wall because the Wizards and their fans did not show support on their own team when they visited last season.
Durant is a native of Washington, D.C., and the Wizards will try hard to pursue the superstar. In a report by ESPN, the Washington organization will be building a new state-of-the-art practice facility with a $55 million entertainment and sports arena.
According to Sports Illustrated, the 27-year-old scorer is expected to command a maximum contract worth $200 million or more. However, Bleacher Report suggested that it would make sense for Durant to sign a one-year extension with Oklahoma City in 2016 and be a free agent in 2017, where the NBA salary cap is going to be $108 million.
Kevin Durant and the Thunder are scheduled to visit Washington at the Verizon Center tonight. The game will start at 7 p.m. ET, per NBA.com.
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