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KD’s Thunder teammates optimistic he’ll return
- Updated: June 1, 2016
3:22 PM ET
OKLAHOMA CITY — After being eliminated in Game 7 by the Golden State Warriors, the Oklahoma City Thunder held their annual exit interviews on Wednesday, and all eyes were on free-agent-to-be Kevin Durant.
Durant spoke to the media for almost 20 minutes, admitting he was uncomfortable talking about his future, but said he’ll take the next month to sort through his options and discuss what his next move is.
“I want some time to really decompress and reflect on the season so I can move on with the summer and move on with this whole process,” he said. “So it may seem like I’m not talking, I’m not giving information, or whatever, but I’m just really trying to make sure I tie everything up properly and make this thing right.”
For the first time in his nine-year career, Durant is an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and virtually every team in the league has a desire to give him its pitch. Durant, though, suggested he isn’t all that interested in being courted or recruited, saying that’s not his personality.
“I never said that. That’s not who I am,” he said. “Whatever this thing entails, I’m ready to take it head on, but I’m not that type of person… Like I said, the two most important things for me is being around great people and having fun playing basketball. All that other stuff that comes with, being who I am and being in this position, it’s not really what I’m concerned with. So I never said that, obviously. You could say that about any player in this position, but yeah.”
Asked what is most important to him in a future team or contract, Durant said he hasn’t compiled a list yet, but mentioned that “culture” and the people he interacts with every day will be a big part of his decision.
“Just being around great people, being in a great basketball environment, that’s the two most important things for me,” Durant said. “That’s all I really care about. Who I’m going to be doing life with every single day, who I’m going to be playing basketball with every day.”
At a season-ending news conference on Wednesday, Kevin Durant reiterated he’ll take his time to think about free agency. Durant can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Layne Murdoch/NBA/Getty Images
Durant said he will take the next month to weigh his options and discuss them with his tight inner circle. He said he was proud of the way he was able to “stay in the moment,” and avoid the distractions
The speculation from many league insiders is Durant will strongly consider a one-year contract (with likely a player option on year two), because that will allow him to reach 10-year veteran status in 2017. With the rising salary cap, Durant could stand to earn an extra $85 million by delaying a long-term contract until next summer.
“It’s too soon, bro,” Durant said of that idea. “I really haven’t thought about that. I’m sure I’ll talk to who I need to talk to to figure out the numbers and all that stuff that goes on. But right now, like I say, I’m still reflecting. I’m still in Game 7 mode right now. I’m still trying to get out of that and just reflect on the year and hanging out with my teammates these next few days while we’re all here in OKC. I think …
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