2014 NBA Free Agency Rumors & Predictions: Kevin Durant Praises LeBron James Homecoming! Will He Also Make A Move In 2016?

The 2014 NBA Free Agency Rumors & Predictions are almost rounded out, but a post script on the biggest move of the summer-LeBron James' homecoming to Cleveland, was issued by his closest rival, reigning MVP and 2016 free agent Kevin Durant.

Durant was all praises for LeBron James' move. He thought it was very different from "The Decision" in 2010. From ESPN:

"I thought it was well-thought-out. It was classy. It was a great move to do it as a letter.  That was pretty cool. It's funny seeing guys think about more than just basketball for once. He thought about the city where he comes from, about Northeast Ohio and how he can affect so many of the kids just being there playing basketball. I love that. So many guys get criticized for making the decision that's best for them, instead of what's best for everybody else. He's a guy that did that. You gotta respect that. I applauded him, I texted him and told him congratulations on the decision and told him I was happy for him. As a fan of the game, it's going to be pretty cool to see him back in Cleveland."

Durant and James have a mutual respect that has become somewhat of a friendship. They understand that their names will be entwined with each other no matter what. Thus, it was inevitable that Kevin Durant's own impending free agency in 2016 became a topic. He gamely addressed the issue:

"I'm going to do what's best for me. It's hard to talk about that right now when I've got two years left in Oklahoma City. I'm just going to focus on that. I'm not going to make a decision based on what anybody else does. I grew up watching the Bullets/Wizards. I grew up taking the train to that arena, all the time, to watch Georgetown, the Bullets, the Washington Mystics. That whole city is a part of me. It's in my blood. I love going back home, seeing my family and playing there, but I love Oklahoma City too."

While Washington is his hometown (or at least the NBA team in his state) the usual suspects (NY Knicks, LA Lakers, etc) are all positioning themselves in 2016 when KD's contract expires.

Surprisingly, Durant did not have any early termination/player options in his contract-like the one James used to leave Miami. Is that something he planned?

"To be honest, I just didn't know. I was 21. I didn't know. Obviously, when you sign a deal, you want to have the best options for yourself, the best flexibility for yourself. But I loved Oklahoma City so much I just wanted to dedicate and show them that I'm all about the team."

KD has always been at a different level of talent and class than the average NBA player. He will be highly coveted, but it would take a special kind of team to lure the MVP.