Report: Knicks, Lakers among teams expected to pursue Durant

Moments after the Oklahoma City Thunder were eliminated from the Western Conference Finals in Game 7 on Monday, the recruiting pitches to Kevin Durant began.

Joel Embiid and Isaiah Thomas took to Twitter to entice the soon-to-be marquee free agent, who will hit the market this summer with no shortage of suitors.

The Washington Wizards, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, and Thunder are all expected to pursue Durant during free agency, Marc Stein of ESPN reports.

There are expected to be more teams who will join in the pursuit come July 1, though sources indicated to Stein that the most likely scenario is that Durant remains in Oklahoma City on a two-year max deal that contains an opt-out after the first year.

The 27-year-old has spent his entire nine-year career with the Thunder organization after he was selected second overall in 2007. He appeared in 72 games this season, averaging 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and five assists.

Durant was asked about his free-agency prospects during his postgame press conference Monday, but said the thought hasn't crossed his mind.

"We just lost like 30 minutes ago. I haven't even thought about it," Durant said. "I'm just embracing my teammates and reflecting on this season. I'll think about that stuff - I don't know when - but we just lost an hour ago, 30 minutes ago, so I don't know."

Durant said he'll sit down with his agent, best friend, and dad in order to figure out his next step.

"He loves this team and wants to win in Oklahoma as bad as anybody," agent Rich Kleiman told The Undefeated. "He's going to have to get over tonight and take everything day by day."