A day before the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder went head-to-head at Chesapeake Energy Arena, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant had dinner at a restaurant in Oklahoma City. In the same way Kobe’s breakfast with Rajon Rondo last year got rumors circulating, many are wondering what the two superstars were talking about on Friday night.
As expected, Bryant was asked about his dinner with Durant following Saturday’s game. Kobe didn’t go into much detail about the topics of discussions via Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times:
Kobe says his dinner last night with Kevin Durant "was great." Said they talked about "a lot of things," didn't go into much detail.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) December 20, 2015
With Durant becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer, the Lakers are expected to make him their top priority in free agency. Los Angeles will have the cap space along with the promising young talent going into the pitch meeting with the one-time NBA MVP. The Lakers, along with the Thunder and Washington Wizards, may have a good chance of signing him this summer if Durant is convinced he can turn things around for the struggling franchise.
It’d be safe to assume Bryant could have some influence in Durant’s decision with the Thunder star. Earlier in the season, Kobe mentioned Durant as one of the many stars around the league that have kept in contact with him for guidance. Durant’s future may have been a top of discussion during last night’s dinner and Kobe likely put in a good word for the Lakers organization.
At this point, Durant hasn’t made any promises to the Thunder nor has he made any indication that he’d leave the only NBA franchise he’s played for next summer. The Lakers may be in contention to sign the superstar to replace Bryant, but that could change between now and the start of free agency in July.
