Last offseason, Kevin Durant signed with the Golden State Warriors. After winning his first title in 2017, we look at why the Finals MVP should’ve signed with the Washington Wizards.
After a successful 2016-17 season, the Washington Wizards are looking to add firepower to their roster. In order for the Wizards to surpass the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference, they must find the piece that is missing from their roster.
While the Wizards are an attractive destination for free agents, they’re handicapped by a variety of contracts owned by the likes of Ian Mahinmi, Jason Smith and Bradley Beal. The Wizards will have very little cap space to work with this offseason.
Given the lack of options for the Wizards to grow this offseason, it’s easy to look back to last offseason and daydream about what could’ve been for the Wizards. Before Kevin Durant signed with the Warriors and rebirthed a new era of the super-team, Wizards fans had reasonable hope that Durant would sign with his hometown team.
Unfortunately, this dream didn’t come true. In fact, he didn’t even meet with the Wizards’ front office. According to Tim Bontemps and Adam Kilgore of The Washington Post, Durant just didn’t want to play at home. Despite his statement, there are still a plethora of reasons for the All-Star to come home.
Kevin Durant just gave a shoutout to "everyone in D.C., Maryland and Virginia" after winning his first NBA title. Coincidence? #KD2DC
— Chris Lingebach (@ChrisLingebach) June 13, 2017
A Hometown Hero
The people of the Washington D.C. love to see one of their own succeed. For Washington sports fans, that love is amplified when someone originally from the area returns after achieving success. Wizards fans love John Wall with every fiber of their being.
However, if Kevin Durant returned home, his jersey would become the best-selling jersey by far. His popularity would increase dramatically, and he would become one of the most beloved players in the NBA.
Many fans were displeased by Durant’s decision to join the team that eliminated him from the playoffs in the previous season. Had he joined the Washington Wizards, he would not have seen nearly as much resistance from fans. No one can be faulted for wanting to go home.
As a native of the Washington D.C. area, Durant understands the crimes that plague the area. Durant’s youth coach, Charles Craig, was shot and killed outside of a bar in 2005. He was 35 years old. In honor of his coach, Durant began to wear the No. 35 on his jersey. If he were to return to the area, Durant could act as a positive role model for those in need. He would also be able to draw attention to the gun violence that impacts the area, and act as an activist, as well.
Durant could deliver a title
Washington sports fans have had it rough. The city of Washington D.C. hasn’t won a title since the Redskins won the Super Bowl in 1991. The Washington Wizards have been without a championship since 1978, when the team was still known as the Washington Bullets.
The addition of Kevin Durant would definitely make the Wizards into a title contender. John Wall has proven his ability to create for his teammates and Bradley Beal as shown his ability to score from the perimeter. The combination of John Wall, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal would be enough to intimidate both the Cavaliers and Warriors.
KD shouting out DC in his championship speech is as close as the Wizards have been to a ship in my lifetime
— Ryan Eugene (@ButterscotchT) June 13, 2017
The lack of championship experience may prove to be a detriment initially, although Wall and Beal are becoming more experienced every year. With Kevin Durant on the roster, NBA fans would likely be treated to two incredible matchups in the playoffs.
In the Eastern Conference Finals, Wall, Beal, and Durant would square off against LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love in an offensive shootout. A seven-game series that matches John Wall against Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant against LeBron James is must see TV.
Next: 2017 NBA Mock Draft: Final edition
Unfortunately, this is all hypothetical, for now. Durant signed with the Warriors and won a championship to simultaneously validate his decision and break the hearts of Wizards fans everywhere. Those fans are stuck wondering what could have been, but who knows what the future holds?