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The Los Angeles Lakers are projected to have a league leading $65.8 million in cap space in the summer of 2016, enough to theoretically sign three players to near max deals. The crown jewel of that free agency class is Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who is currently averaging 27.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists while shooting 52.7% from the field in his return from a foot injury that cost him most of last season.
Many would characterize re-signing in Oklahoma City or going back to his hometown of Washington D.C. to play for the Wizards as more likely options for Durant than joining a young purple and gold roster headlined by Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, and D'Angelo Russell, but that has not stopped many Lakers fans from hoping Durant decides to become the Lakers' next superstar this summer.
The Lakers are currently in Oklahoma City for their first matchup of the season against the Thunder, and the most recent Lakers superstar, soon-to-be-retired Kobe Bryant, went out to dinner with Durant on Friday night:
Here's a better shot of KD and Kobe at dinner tonight. pic.twitter.com/SZMAQp2DmV
— Dylan Buckingham (@DylanBuckingham) December 19, 2015
Appears Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant are having dinner tonight in OKC. Kind of cool! Photo cred @nhampson_ pic.twitter.com/hYHzqMiH5q
— Dylan Buckingham (@DylanBuckingham) December 19, 2015
Just an innocent dinner between two friends? Or an early recruitment pitch? Most likely the former, but there is nothing to stop Kobe from extolling the virtues of the city of Los Angeles to his good friend KD, right?
Adam Levine, fire up the free agency pitch!
That'll get it done.