The Los Angeles Lakers are on an eight-game winning streak and have moved up to the second place in the Western Conference with five weeks left in the regular season. Ever since the Luka Doncic trade, the Lakers have been one of the best teams in the league, especially on the defensive side of the ball. If they keep this up, they will be one of the title favorites heading into the postseason.
Regardless of how well the team plays, however, the fanbase is never satisfied. The Lakers have historically been connected to every star on the trade block, and the fans are understandably already dreaming about the possibility of pairing a third superstar with the LeBron James-Luka Doncic duo.
One name that is consistently coming up in trade speculations is Kevin Durant. Following the Suns' implosion this season, KD will reportedly be traded this offseason. The Lakers have naturally emerged as a rumored landing spot.
Lakers insider Jovan Buha doesn't believe that to be the case, however. In the 1:00:45 mark of the latest episode of his podcast, Buha denies the rumors.
Lakers Reportedly Not Interested in Kevin Durant
The Lakers' lack of interest in Durant is understandable. He is 36 years old and will be entering the final year of his contract, requiring an extension. With the addition of Doncic, the Lakers have extended their title window, and there isn't a good enough reason to close it again by giving up future assets for Durant.
"I have not heard anything about the Lakers being interested in Kevin Durant. I think that might just be a situation where someone throws the Lakers out there to get some buzz with it."Jovan Buha, The Athletic
A Durant trade would require the remaining draft capital the Lakers have. Plus, to match salaries, a combination of players, including Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, will be needed.
As good as Durant still is, the Lakers don't need to make this move to be a championship contender. They are already there, and bringing in a starting-caliber center in the offseason will be enough to get them where they need to go.