Kevin Durant Rumors: Warriors Star Open To Joining LeBron James At Lakers

Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant is reportedly "open" to listening to offers next year, amid talk of a potential move to the LeBron James-led Los Angeles Lakers.

Durant won his second successive championship with the Warriors earlier this summer and bagged another NBA Finals MVP award as well in the process. He would later become a free agent only to sign another one-plus-one deal worth $61.5 million in total.

The contract gives Durant power and control over his future as he could become an unrestricted free agent in 2019. The 29-year-old has since been linked with potential moves to the Lakers, the New York Knicks and even a shock return to the Oklahoma Ciy Thunder next year.

The Lakers are the most interesting option, however, as it would mean Durant teaming up with James, the only player in the league arguably better than him, as the duo together could forge a new dynasty with the 16-time champions.

Mark Medina of the San Jose Mercury News recently speculated it won't happen simply because Durant viewed James as his competition.

"I am willing to make a bet on Kevin Durant. I don't see him going to the Lakers whatsoever, and I think the reason with that has to do with LeBron James," Medina recently said on Yahoo Sports’ NBA podcast with Chris Mannix. "Now, he holds LeBron James in very high regard. You know, they have a good relationship, but LeBron's the guy that he wants to compete for with championships and legacy."

Fox Sports' Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe believe otherwise though. Speaking on "Skip and Shannon: Undisputed" on Thursday, the duo believe Durant and James teaming up is not outside the realms of possibility.

Bayless also added with the Lakers unlikely to win a championship this season, the logical move is for James to bring Durant to their ranks in 2019.

"There's only one move to be made here for LeBron James and it's to get Kevin Durant," Bayless said. "And I was told by a source very close to Kevin that LeBron did check in with him this year because he was free, he was a free agent."

"I was also told that Kevin is open to listening next year depending on what happens — what will the Lakers look like with LeBron? What will it play like? What will it feel like? It could be a disaster. Will DeMarcus Cousins work or not work in Golden State? I don’t know. Will they fall apart because DeMarcus Cousins can’t find a place?"

Sharpe chimed in earlier, stating Durant was also competing with Warriors star Stephen Curry before joining him in the Bay Area, which is why teaming up with James is not something to be ruled out, even if they are currently competitive rivals.

"I don't think you can rule it out," Sharpe explained. "I don't think anybody saw Kevin Durant joining a 73-9 Golden State Warriors team [in 2016 from the Thunder] 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."