For years now, Kevin Durant has sought to accompany himself with the best players in the league to expand his record as much as possible. He also admitted to having tried to recruit a big name in person, without winning the case!
Not supported enough for his taste in Oklahoma City with Russell Westbrook, he went to seek help from Golden State. A decision that did not earn him only compliments. Then, it is in Brooklyn that he has been trying since 2019 to form the most competitive team possible. Gold, Kevin Durant proves to be much less successful in this role of recruiter than in that of star rookie for the Warriors.
And yet, the big names parade alongside him in the ranks of the Nets, without this allowing him to obtain his third championship ring. Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Ben Simmons, LaMarcus Aldridge, Blake Griffin, Goran Dragic: all have joined forces with him in recent months, proof of his ability to federate. Nevertheless, another All-Star has eluded him in the past.
The monumental Big Three that Durant wanted to train at OKC
Before strengthening his supporting cast with blockbuster trades or big signings during free agency, Durant was already trying to do so at Thunder via the Draft. In 2017, he also admitted during an appearance in the Bill Simmons Podcast to have been on the verge of getting his hands on a crack two years ago. And that crack was none other than… Devin Booker!
We called Devin Booker. We wanted him at OKC. I wanted it.
At the time, Oklahoma City had the 16th pick, and could hope to see D-Book land in that position. It was without counting on the plans of the Suns, who finally selected him… a row earlier.
With Booker by his side, KD’s fate might have been totally different at OKC. Indeed, the scoring skills from the back wouldn’t have been too much in the 2016 Western Conference Finals, as the Thunder led 3-1 to Golden State. The trio that would have formed with Durant, Westbrook and Booker would also have had the air of deja vu in Oklahoma.
Indeed, D-Book would most certainly have been used as the 6th Man within the franchise, as was the case in Kentucky. His role would then have approached that of a James Harden at the start of his career. Such an alloy had at the time allowed OKC to participate in the Finals. Enough to draw from this simple declaration of Durantula one of the biggest what-ifs of recent years!
As a true talent scout, Kevin Durant claims to have pleaded for Devin Booker to come to Oklahoma City on the sidelines of the 2015 Draft. Not sure, however, that the Phoenix star would have experienced the same outbreak at the Thunder!
