Could Kevin Durant Sign With the Celtics in 2016?

The summer of Kevin Durant is coming. In less than 12 months the 2014 MVP will be an unrestricted free agent, able to sign with any team he pleases. Various theories have him headed all over the league. Ever wondered what KD would look like in a Lakers jersey? Rockets? How about his hometown Washington Wizards? Simply type ‘Kevin Durant’ followed by the NBA team name of your choice into Google image search and voilà, Durant has been photoshopped onto the roster.

‘Kevin Durant Celtics’ results in a few pictures of the 4-time scoring champ sporting green and white. Once a complete non-factor in the Durant sweepstakes, Boston has quietly become a dark horse candidate to land one of the NBA’s most talented players. There are so many teams in the mix vying for Durant’s services, but the Celtics have a number of things going for them that could appeal to him. Depending on how this season unfolds, Boston could end up with a very strong bid come next summer.

Back in April, the Thunder fired coach Scott Brooks, who’s been with Durant for his entire career, first as an assistant in Durant’s rookie year and then as the head man since 2008. The team rolled the dice on his replacement, plucking Billy Donovan from the college ranks. Donovan coached the University of Florida to back-to-back NCAA titles, but has never before made the leap to the pros. It’s a high-risk, high-reward situation for Oklahoma City. Donovan could knock it out of the park, coach the Thunder back to the top of the Western Conference, and put any thoughts Durant has of bolting to bed.

On the other hand, Donovan’s collegiate success could fail to translate to the NBA, and he could face the same struggles his mentor Rick Pitino did during his time with the Celtics. Granted, Donovan is inheriting a much more talented team than Pitino did back in 1997, but the transition still has its various challenges.

The Celtics gambled in a similar fashion just two years ago when they brought in Butler University’s Brad Stevens. At the time Stevens was just 36, but in two seasons with the team he’s been absolute aces. He coached Boston to a 15-win improvement last year and a playoff berth that seemed completely farfetched when the season began. He’s been earning rave reviews from players around the league and puts Boston on the map as a potential free agent destination. If Donovan and Durant don’t hit it off and the Thunder struggle, coming to the Celtics to play for Stevens could be enticing.

The Western Conference remains brutal, chock full of the league’s juggernauts and teams on their way to becoming them. LaMarcus Aldridge joined the Spurs and the Clippers retained DeAndre Jordan. The reigning champion Warriors should be dominant for years to come and Anthony Davis has New Orleans on the rise.

More from Chowder and Champions

• 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
• 10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster Deadline
• MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
• 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
• Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win

Meanwhile, the path to the Finals in the East looks much less foreboding. The Cavaliers have LeBron James and company, but there are no other rock solid contenders in the conference. After spending his entire career in the West, Durant might welcome a change. The Thunder finished 45-37 last season and missed the playoffs. That same record would have had them a game out of the 5th seed in the East. Were Durant to join the Celtics, he’d instantly catapult them to the top of conference and give them a legitimate shot to make the Finals, a place Durant’s been only once in his career.

It’s not like he’d be joining a team in tatters. Boston has a plethora of talented young players already in place. They will continue to rise with or without the addition of Durant. That being said, he’d be the perfect player to fill the most glaring void on the Celtics roster. The team has a solid collection of guards and options in the paint. What Boston lacks is a bona fide scorer at the small forward position, and Durant is as bona fide as they come.

There is of course still a full season to be played before he has to decide his next destination, and the Thunder remain in pole position to keep him. But if they fail to improve and the Celtics continue to build on last year’s success the tables could turn. As mentioned, numerous other teams will be making their pitches as well, teams with more sunshine and more talent than Boston. The Celtics have at least forced their way into the conversation, on the strength of Stevens’ coaching and their unexpectedly rapid improvement. They have until next summer to strengthen their case for Durant to come to town. My guess is when the time comes, he’ll be willing to listen.

Next: Celtics Schedule Revealed: Boston Back On National Radar