Los Angeles Lakers: Biggest NBA free agency whiffs in recent memory
2. Kevin Durant (2016)
You’re probably thinking right now, “The Lakers weren’t really in the running for Kevin Durant!” You’d be right, and that’s exactly the point.
When Durant tested the free agency waters in 2016, the whole NBA stood at attention like a mob of meerkats. A total of six teams were given the opportunity to meet with him before a decision was made. Those teams included the Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat.
As you probably noticed, the Lakers are not on that list. It turned out Durant wasn’t interested due to the lack of talent and potential on their roster at the time, and rightfully so.
Durant on Lakers: "I really respect their team, but I think they're a couple years away from where I want to be."
— Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) July 18, 2016
The Lakers, one of the NBA’s premier franchises, were denied access to a superstar. Who’d a thunk it? It was a truly humbling experience for the Lakers and their fans, who hadn’t yet come to the realization that the team was no longer seen as an ideal destination for free agents.
The situation was only made worse when Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak decided to go on a “screw this team” spending spree after getting the cold shoulder from Durant. Timofey Mozgov and Luol Deng were signed to ridiculously overpriced deals, and Jordan Clarkson was given a gaudy extension he didn’t deserve.
Overall, it was a black-eye offseason for the Lakers. The Durant decline was the slap in the face that sent the old regime spiraling down toward its inevitable demise.