NBA Rumors: John Wall Rejects Kevin Durant; Russell Westbrook, Dion Waiters Gear Up for OKC Campaign

By Mitch de Leon
NBA: Playoffs-Golden State Warriors at Oklahoma City Thunder
May 28, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts to a call in action against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter in game six of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena.  Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The Kevin Durant free agency train is set make as many stops as possible - a trip that includes offers from the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs. With the Oklahoma City Thunder star mum on his possible future in the NBA, fans have been excitedly talking about the possibility of seeing KD play alongside Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson while others imagine a super team with him working with Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge and Danny Green. Meanwhile, James Harden has yet to make his move to recruit Durant in the Houston Rockets. Carmelo Anthony is also expected to pitch the deal offered by the New York Knicks to potentially see KD mentor Kristaps Porzingis.

Amid the NBA teams competing to sign Kevin Durant, sources are claiming that two groups stand out - the Oklahoma City Thunder because of Russell Westbrook and the Washington Wizards. However, it looks like the John Wall squad is not as eager as the Golden State Warriors or San Antonio Spurs to sign KD. In fact, rumor has it that winning the Kevin Durant free agency competition is not the priority for the Bradley Beal team.

"I just sit back and relax," said John Wall when asked of his strategy to lure Kevin Durant in the team. The Washington Wizards point guard added, "I'm not forcing the issue.I know he just finished a tough series. I mean, I know how it is after you lose a game, you get out of the playoffs, you want time to yourself to relax and focus and think. I know where he be at come time - we've been around each other before. I'll talk to him here and there, see how he's feeling, and if I feel like we have a shot, I'll go ahead and throw my pitch. If not, he's always going to be my big brother and a friend to me."

Some fans believe that the reason for Wall's nonchalance over the Kevin Durant free agency campaign is the fear of getting sidelined as the main man in the Washington Wizards roster. As the current leader of the NBA team, Wall enjoys the luxury of being the franchise face. However, what will happen to him if the Oklahoma City Thunder star decides to go home to Washington?

"I don't mind," said Wall of the possibility of sharing the limelight with Durant. He further noted, "I know I'm still going to be the franchise guy. I know the team is still going to be mine and there's nothing wrong with adding another star to help you out, because you need two or three stars to win now in the NBA."

Meanwhile, it looks like Oklahoma is going all out in convincing KD to stay. To entice him to remain with the team, the city even offered Durant a position in the government. If the 2014 NBA MVP stays with the Russell Westbrook squad, Dion Waiters and Steven Adams will have not only an incredible basketball star for a teammate but also an official public servant.

"If Kevin Durant thinks about leaving, which I hope he doesn't -- Oklahoma loves Kevin Durant, and Kevin Durant loves Oklahoma," said Governor Mary Fallin. She added, "But if he'll stay, I'll make him a Cabinet person for health and fitness on my Cabinet."

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