[Thespiralgoeson]

Lakers confident of getting at least meeting with Kevin Durant

Chris Broussard

Despite not being on the list of teams scheduled to meet with free-agent forward Kevin Durant, the Los Angeles Lakers have not abandoned their hopes of landing him, according to a person with knowledge of the club's thinking.

The Lakers intend to contact Durant and his representatives July 1 and are confident they will get a meeting, the source said.

"I can't imagine Durant wouldn't talk to us," the source said. "That would shock me."
Part of the Lakers' pitch to Kevin Durant will be the ability to team with another top-tier free agent, a source said. Layne Murdoch/NBA/Getty Images

According to ESPN sources and media reports, Durant is scheduled to meet with the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers, beginning July 1, the first day free agents are allowed to talk with teams other than their own.

In addition to the Lakers, the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks also are hoping to meet with Durant, according to ESPN sources.

Add the Hawks to the bevy of teams wishing to get involved in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes, according to league sources.

The Lakers are highly intrigued by Hassan Whiteside and what he could bring them as a double-double presence inside, sources told ESPN.

The Lakers believe they have a pitch that will appeal to Durant and other free agents, said the source with knowledge of the team's thinking. With the ability to clear more than $60 million in cap space, they will attempt to sell stars on the potential of joining the Lakers with another top-tier free agent, the source said.

"We want to pitch guys on combinations, as opposed to just one guy," the source said. "We'll say to a guy, 'Who do you want to play with? We've got the room to go get him.'"

The Lakers believe their new coach, the highly regarded Luke Walton, as well as their talented group of young players will be attractive to the top free agents on the market.

In addition to Durant, some players the Lakers have interest in are Harrison Barnes, Hassan Whiteside and Al Horford, sources say.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/16...d-kevin-durant

This could be good for the Mavs. While everyone else is wasting their time trying to get Durant, Mavs can hopefully entice Whiteside offering a max deal immediately. Only problem is apparently the Lakers can clear enough cap space for multiple max contracts, but still, I think the Mavs have a better pitch. "Come to Dallas, get paid the max, and compete in the playoffs now" verses "Come to LA, get paid the max (minus state tax) and maybe we'll have a small chance at landing Durant."