The Washington Wizards are staring down the barrel of long rebuild ahead of them as their young team continues to navigate the future.
Washington has made it clear over the last year, especially ahead of the NBA trade deadline that they're more than willing to be active on the trade market, and that includes dealing for veterans to surround their young team around.
As a result, many have began to link the Wizards as a possible landing spot for Phoenix Suns' Kevin Durant as the two sides seemingly head towards a breakup this offseason. And considering the superstar forward is a Washington D.C. native himself, it seems to make all the sense in the world...if the Wizards were even close to contending.
Durant is 36 years old, and although he's still playing at the top of his game averaging 26.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists, while shooting 52.7% from field goal range and 40.9% from field goal range, there's no denying that he's on the back half of his career.
Not only would the fit on the Wizards not make sense for Washington, but Durant would undoubtebly want to suit up for a contender next season, and at the moment the Wizards are just not in that category. Furthermore, they're nowhere near that category.
Trading for Durant would not make sense...unless the Wizards decided to go all chips in on winning this season.
The stars would have to align to make a move for Durant
The Wizards currently have a league-worst record as they lead the race for the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.. Washington has a good chance to earn the top pick, and while most people with a terrible team could normally celebrate having their pick of the litter in the upcoming draft class, it only makes it worth it if Duke's Cooper Flagg is available.
Flagg is a generational player, but early signs point towards the Blue Devil having little to no interest in playing for the Wizards if they earn the top pick which could lead to him returning to college. However, if he does somehow decide to declare for the draft, and Washington is in position to select their future superstar, a trade for Durant could make some sense.
Not only would Durant be a big time mentor for Flagg, but the two players could play well off one another. And with the financial state Washington is in, they could flip the switch to be aggressive on the trade market and in free agency. Sort of like what the Brooklyn Nets did when they signed Durant and Kyrie Irving in the same free agency class to immediately turn into contender.
So is the move likely? No. Does it make sense right now? No. Is there a scenario in which it does make sense? Possibly.
The stars would have to align for Washington to consider this move, but in a never say never league..don't 100% rule anything out.