Given the Lakers' recent track record with free agents, their fans may be skeptical of the possibility that Kevin Durant relocates to the West Coast next summer.
But if Durant doesn't re-sign with the Thunder after the 2015-16 season, the Lakers are his top free-agent destination, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith revealed on First Take on Tuesday, as reported by Black Sports Online.
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"Regardless of how senseless it may (sound), in one breath I'm hearing that if Kevin Durant doesn't stay in Oklahoma City, L.A. is his primary objective and landing spot as opposed to South Beach or even his home of Washington, D.C.," Smith said.
However, Smith also painted scenario for Durant traveling to the East Coast, based on a comment from Knicks team president Phil Jackson indicating that he believes Kobe Bryant may play beyond this season, but it might not be in Los Angeles.
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"I heard (Carmelo Anthony), Kevin Durant, Kobe," Smith added. "And when you take into account that Phil Jackson is on the record saying it might be Kobe's last year in L.A. -- opening the door that there are possibilities for him to go elsewhere. All I'm saying is you just never know."
During the Lakers' media day on Monday, however, Bryant reiterated that he intends to retire -- whenever that will be -- in Los Angeles.
"A lot of players want to go to different teams or contend to win championships," Bryant told Yahoo Sports at the conclusion of the Lakers' media day on Monday. "I'm a Laker, man. I'm a Laker, for better or worse."
A Durant-to-Los Angeles scenario would be contingent upon Bryant retiring, seeing as how Kobe has been resistant to accepting a lesser role with the team, Larry Brown Sports speculated.
Reports surfaced that Bryant's pitches to Dwight Howard and LaMarcus Aldridge revealed that the Black Mamba didn't intend to take a back seat to either player, but if Bryant wants the Lakers to succeed after he's gone, he'll need to change his attitude if Durant has any interest.
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