Kevin Durant Not Expected To Join LeBron James At Lakers

Despite rumors of a potential move to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019, it is unlikely for Kevin Durant to go there, according to former player Stephen Jackson and FOX Sports broadcaster Colin Cowherd.

Durant's deal with the Golden State Warriors essentially runs out next year after he signed a one-plus-one deal earlier this summer and there has been heavy speculation that he will leave the Bay Area in search of a new challenge.

The New York Knicks are one team that are interested and reportedly have a good shot of luring the 30-year-old to Madison Square Garden.

However, the Lakers are interestingly another team that are reported to be potential suitors.

The 16-time champions only added LeBron James to their ranks earlier this summer but are expected to go after another high-profile free agent next year.

NBA insider Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson reported last month that Durant would be joining the Lakers next summer, where he will be set up as the face of the franchise once James eventually leaves.

James and Durant playing together would almost certainly make the Lakers championship contenders, but Cowherd does not see it happening, mainly because it would elevate his competitive rival's legacy which would be counterproductive.

“There’s no way in the world Durant is going to elevate LeBron’s career and extend it for five more titles," Cowherd explained. "The first eight, nine years in the league when Durant and LeBron were on the same league, LeBron won all those years. The next eight, or seven, Kevin Durant can win all of them. Why in God’s name would I leave the best arena, coach, staff, club, owner and elevate LeBron with titles?"

“Because he’s not going to a crappy team. Kevin Durant’s been on a team who can’t win. If he’s going anywhere, it would be with LeBron. That’s the only place you’re guaranteed a title, I don't buy he's leaving."

Jackson was in agreement and believes if anyone is leaving the Warriors, it could be one of Draymond Green or Klay Thompson.

“I say no. For the simple fact that every year, somebody has taken a pay cut or somebody’s figured out how to keep these guys [at Golden State] together so far," Jackson added.

“It’s going to be interesting. I think if anybody leaves it’s going to be Draymond [Green] or Klay [Thompson]. I think KD stays, he likes where he’s at, and for sure, I don’t see him joining LeBron, for sure. I think he wants to compete and continue to be in the conversation for best in the league."

The two have a point, but the argument could also be made that nobody saw Durant joining Stephen Curry's Warriors in the first place.

"I don't think you can rule it [playing with James] out," Shannon Sharpe speculated on FOX Sports in August. "I don't think anybody saw Kevin Durant joining a 73-9 Golden State Warriors team who had Steph Curry who won two MVPs after Kevin Durant won his."

"I would think Kevin Durant viewed Steph Curry as a peer, as a rival of his, OKC was competing with Golden State. No one thought KD was going to Golden State, so to say what Kevin Durant will or won't do, I don't think we can say that about KD."