Kevin Durant lauded LeBron James’ decision to return to Cleveland, sparking the imagination of Washington Wizards fans who want to see the MVP play in his home state in the future.
Speaking after Team USA’s practice in preparation for the upcoming World Cup at the end of August, Durant revealed he reached out to James after the former-Heat superstar chose to sign with the Cavs this summer.
“I thought it was well thought out, it was classy,” Durant said of James’ self-essay in Sports Illustrated. “It’s fun to see a guy think about more than just basketball for once, and himself. He thought about the city where he comes from, northeast Ohio, and how he could affect so many kids bigger than basketball. I love that.”
Like James with his outward affection for Akron, Durant has remained close with his hometown of Seat Pleasant, a suburb of Washington D.C. But while his roots are on the East Coast, Durant acknowledged he’s currently committed to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have the 25-year-old under contract until 2016.
“I grew up watching the Wizards, (the) Bullets-Wizards,” Durant said. “I grew up taking the train to that arena all the time. I watched Georgetown, I watched the Bullets, I watched the (WNBA’s) Mystics, so that whole city is a part of me, is in my blood. Like I said, I love going back home to see my family and stuff and playing there, but I love Oklahoma City too.”
With two years remaining before he’s an unrestricted free agent, Durant has the chance to follow in James’ footsteps before choosing to go home.
James won two championships with Miami in his four seasons before departing for Cleveland, but having similar success could instead entice Durant to stay with the Thunder.
“Two years straight [winning titles], that would be cool,” he said. “It would definitely be tough to [leave then]. That’s one of those things where you’ve got a dynasty now. But like I said, I don’t want to think too far down the line. I’m trying to focus on today.”