The Washington Wizards think it is unlikely that Kevin Durant will sign with them in free agency, a team source told ESPN's Britt McHenry.
The Wizards recently reached out to Durant's camp to gauge his interest in joining his hometown team, the source told McHenry, but were told that the superstar forward's situation is different from LeBron James' free agency in 2014, when the four-time MVP returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
"It's not like LeBron and Cleveland," the source told McHenry.
ESPN's Marc Stein reported earlier this week that, according to sources, the Wizards were pessimistic about their chances of emerging as a real factor to sign Durant, despite their recent hiring of former Oklahoma City Thunder coach Scott Brooks.
Durant, a Washington, D.C., native, already has set up face-to-face meetings with the Thunder, the Golden State Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs, league sources told Stein.
Sources told Stein that the list of teams that get to pitch Durant directly will grow before NBA free agency officially begins July 1.
In other Durant news, the Knicks are optimistic that they'll ultimately get consideration from Durant, but sources told ESPN's Ian Begley there is no meeting scheduled between New York and Durant at this point.
Durant's ties to the Knicks include his strong relationship with Carmelo Anthony and the relationship between his agent, Rich Kleiman of Roc Nation Sports, and Knicks GM Steve Mills.
Durant, 27, has spent his entire nine-year career with the Thunder franchise. He averaged 28.2 points per game this past season and led the Thunder within one victory of the NBA Finals.
