Report: Durant not keen on playing for Wizards

The Washington Wizards' reported hiring of Scott Brooks as head coach Thursday has intensified the speculation of Kevin Durant returning home to D.C. this summer and reuniting with his former Oklahoma City Thunder coach.

However, Durant's lone trip to Washington to play the Wizards this season was "stressful," according to The Vertical's Chris Mannix, owing to the demands placed on a superstar when they return to their hometown. Furthermore, Mannix reports that friends of Durant seem certain he has no interest in playing in the nation's capital.

From The Vertical:

Durant isn't bound for Washington, friends say, because ... it's Washington, it's home, and, like so many athletes, Durant isn't all that keen on returning to play in the city in which he grew up. Friends, family - some real, some claiming to be - all come out of the woodwork in those situations, and Durant, who has tightened his inner circle considerably in recent years, isn't interested in dealing with them. His lone trip to D.C. this season was stressful, league sources told The Vertical, reinforcing to friends that wherever Durant signs next summer, Washington won't be it.

There's a salient observation here. Outside of LeBron James, there isn't a ton of precedent with NBA superstars moving back to their hometowns as free agents. Carmelo Anthony was acquired by the New York Knicks via trade, and he also happened to spend his formative years in Baltimore. Derrick Rose, like James, was originally drafted by his hometown team - in his case the Chicago Bulls.

The last time an elite-level superstar returned home via free agency was probably when Tracy McGrady signed with the Orlando Magic in 2000. LaMarcus Aldridge returned to his home state of Texas last summer when he signed with the San Antonio Spurs, but the power forward grew up in Dallas.

Brooks' imminent hiring by the Wizards is clearly rooted partially in an effort to lure Durant. For all the criticism he received for stale play-calling with the Thunder, Brooks is considered an excellent player development coach. Durant is known to be close with his former boss, and there is no question that the Wizards - along with potentially a dozen other NBA franchises - will pitch the 2014 MVP this summer.