Steve Kerr refuses to go into detail about sideline chat with Durant
Kevin Durant's reported interest in the Golden State Warriors is the Boogeyman hanging over the rest of the NBA right now.
If Durant, who is the top free agent in 2016, heads to the Bay, the 55-5 Warriors will theoretically become even better, and almost certainly reel off multiple championships (which already seems like it might happen). There would almost be no point in the other 29 teams trying over the next half-decade.
The Warriors and Thunder met for the third and final time on Thursday, with the Dubs winning 121-106 to sweep the season series, 3-0. During the contest, Durant briefly chatted with Warriors head coach Steve Kerr on the sideline, which raised some antennas:
When asked about his conversation with the 2013-14 MVP, Kerr declined to go into detail after the game:
Kerr knew what reporters were digging for, so he jokingly said he brought up good places to eat in San Francisco (the Warriors are expected to move from Oakland to San Francisco in 2019):
▶︎ Kerr on Durant: I think I asked him where he ate last night... https://t.co/1BBOrzr0g7 #Warriors #NBA #Thunder pic.twitter.com/NGC8uRgajX
— KNBR (@KNBR) March 4, 2016
There's no way to know what exactly the two discussed -- given both Kerr's and Durant's track record, they could've just been talking trash -- though some had fun with the idea on Twitter (h/t Bleacher Report):
So you still want to wear No. 35 next season, right? - Steve Kerr to Kevin Durant (probably) pic.twitter.com/eqwKRmCzY9
— Michael Bohlin (@MBohlin247) March 4, 2016
This is an interesting development in the Durant-to-the-Warriors rumor mill, but nothing more. It'd be a stretch to think Kerr was selling Durant on the Warriors, or that Durant was reaching out to let Kerr know he's interested. That would be tampering, one way or another.
The Warriors will need to jump through hoops to clear enough cap space to sign Durant, though it is certainly possible. They would have to give up two of their top seven players -- likely Harrison Barnes and Andrew Bogut -- which is a considerable risk. Durant appears to be worth it, though, and the Dubs will definitely explore that option to some extent.
Free agency begins in less than four months. We can't wait.
Jovan Buha covers the NBA for FOX Sports. Follow him on Twitter: @jovanbuha.
