Report: Stephen A. Smith Says Two Teams Are Favorites To Land Durant

Kevin Durant is expected to be one of the top free agents on the market this summer if he opts out of his current contract with the Golden State Warriors.

In addition, some fuel was added to that fire after a recent spat with teammate Draymond Green over who should’ve attempted to take the last shot earlier this week against the Los Angeles Clippers. In a recent podcast, ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith said that he believes that it’s a two-horse race between the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks to sign Durant with the Lakers “having the edge.”

Smith also reported that the Warriors want to keep Durant and don’t believe that they will lose him this summer. However, Smith is adamant about the fact that the Knicks and Lakers are neck-in-neck to acquire Durant’s services.

Could the Warriors' drama push Kevin Durant to the Lakers? ? #LakeShow

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Durant and LeBron James certainly would be one of the most lethal combinations that the NBA world has ever seen. Considering James is still playing some of the best basketball of his career, playing alongside Durant would make him all the more dangerous and Smith added that “if that doesn’t spell championship, I don’t know what does.” James is playing just over 35 minutes per game and that is the lowest number of his entire 16-year career. In addition, James’ 27.6 points per contest are the most that he’s scored since the 2009-10 campaign when he was a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Lakers got off to a slow start this season, but have managed to rebound with an 8-6 record. In addition, Los Angeles has won four consecutive games and topped the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. If this young group that James currently headlines were to acquire a player of Durant’s stature, it’s safe to say that it would be a terrifying thought to the rest of the league.