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NBA: The Best 2016 Free Agent For Every Team

By Ryan Blackburn

May 1, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A general view of the Air Canada Centre prior to Indiana Pacers playing Toronto Raptors in game seven of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A general view of the Air Canada Centre prior to Indiana Pacers playing Toronto Raptors in game seven of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 16, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) works the ball against Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) in the second half at TD Garden. Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Celtics 130-109. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) works the ball against Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) in the second half at TD Garden. Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Celtics 130-109. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Boston Celtics – Kevin Durant

The first potential suitor for Kevin Durant, who is the apple of Danny Ainge’s eye.

After trading Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to the Brooklyn Nets, Ainge knew the best course of action would be to stockpile assets and build a young team in preparation for courting a star. This is what he’s been waiting for. Kevin Durant is the best player on the open market, plays a position of need, and fits well into the culture in Bean Town.

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Ainge knows how to snag high quality pieces, as evidenced by his acquisitions of Garnett and Ray Allen in 2007 to complete the first Big Three with Pierce. Now, the plan is to insert a legitimate No. 1 option next to Isaiah Thomas, a great complementary piece, and a cast of veterans and developing players.

In addition, the Celtics have Brad Stevens and a multitude of high first round picks coming from Brooklyn, including a selection in the 2016 NBA Draft that will fall anywhere from first to sixth overall.

There are so many possibilities to restructure the roster around Durant’s liking, including the possibility to trade for another quality player like Jimmy Butler or DeMarcus Cousins. Durant could be the leader of a team in the Eastern Conference that has the power to reach the Finals and the future assets to continue to develop and potentially win a championship.

Durant knows that Boston has the assets to surround him with a good supporting cast, while Boston knows that Durant should be their Plan A, B and C.

Next: Brooklyn Nets