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Lakers Free Agency 2016: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook In The Picture

By Keith Rivas

Jan 29, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) react after a play against the Houston Rockets at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) react after a play against the Houston Rockets at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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In the latest report on the Lakers free agency 2016, a report from The Examiner outlines why Kevin Durant to Los Angeles isn’t far-fetched at all to think.

While the Lakers struggle as it is for the rest of this season, next year could turn out to be more promising than originally expected.

As a report from The Examiner points out and Stephen A. Smith defends on an ESPN LA podcast, the fact that Russell Westbrook could have a strong pull to Los Angeles in his free agency term could put Kevin Durant in position to join the Lakers as well.

Given how effective the two-man tandem has been in Oklahoma City, it’d be unbelievable what they could do in the post-Kobe Bryant era.

Especially in Westbrook’s neck of the woods.

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    • Being that it’d be a return to his roots, Westbrook’s temptation comes from the idea of wanting to play in front of where he feels he belongs the most.

    Plus, if LeBron James can do it, his mentality is most likely coming from the “why can’t I?” approach.

    And he’s absolutely right.

    For Durant, home would mean joining forces with John Wall and the Wizards — a move that would make the Eastern Conference even more ferocious and at the same time would up the ante on Durant’s attempt to belittle LeBron James.

    From within the same conference, it’d just get nasty.

    One major reason that joining the Lakers would be good for Durant aside from the potential of playing with Westbrook outside of OKC is that he’d be able to branch out into his own game rather than focusing on having to be the only one producing.

    Guys like Julius Randle and even the Jordan Clarkson–D’Angelo Russell combination could work nicely for Durant; mainly because his role as a mentor and a veteran would be put to best use.

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    With the Thunder, it’s either him or Westbrook that have to put up big numbers for the team to win.

    While that’s not all bad, and thus far has them in the top three of the Western Conference only to San Antonio and Golden State, not having any help around you at your level can be frustrating for NBA players.

    And knowing how badly Durant wants an NBA Finals championship, he’ll have to weigh his options even more carefully when it comes to if he’ll stay with the Thunder or not.

    Next: Lakers Brace For Open Season

    But if the pull to Westbrook ends up being strong enough, the Lakers will be ready to show them both the money and kill two birds with one stone.

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