Oklahoma City Thunder: Title Window Closing?

Durant’s Free Agency

The only problem is OKC’s title window could slammed shut by the end of the 2015-16 season. Kevin Durant is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2016 and there has already been widespread conjecture about where he might end up.

Durant’s hometown Washington Wizards have been preparing for next summer and have a terrific core of John Wall and Bradley Beal. That, along with the lure of playing in the East,  would be appealing to a superstar who may still be in search of his first championship at that point.

If you think it’s been hard for the Thunder to block out the outside noise and climb to the peak of becoming NBA champions, just imagine how much harder it’s going to be next season, with the media constantly asking these free agency questions all while Durant just tries to return from a troubling foot injury.

If the Thunder were to break through and win a title next season, it’d be virtually impossible for Durant to leave Oklahoma City. Even if they don’t win a title before Durant reaches free agency, it still might be unlikely to see him leave since there aren’t many teams better suited to make a title run than a team that has Durant, Westbrook and Serge Ibaka.

But even if Durant views his teammates as brothers, there’s a certain sense of impatience building around this team. An injury sidelining him for more than half a year certainly won’t do much to help with the sense of urgency that such a once-in-a-lifetime player needs to finally win a title.

Nobody knows what Durant will do in free agency. It’s far too early for Durant to even know. But this injury could play a factor, especially if he’s unable to return to full strength for 2015-16. Could injury problems and a diminished title window lead to a frustrated Durant taking his talents back home as a free agent?

Next: The Supporting Cast