A team source told ESPN.com's Chris Broussard the Lakers are confident about their chances of landing a meeting with the longtime Oklahoma City Thunder superstar.
"I can't imagine Durant wouldn't talk to us," said the source, per Broussard's Tuesday report. "That would shock me."
Since a mere meeting with Durant hasn't been possible to date, Los Angeles is also looking into intriguing alternatives. Sources told Broussard the Lakers are interested in big men Hassan Whiteside and Al Horford, along with versatile forward Harrison Barnes.
Los Angeles' big market and rich franchise history can only do so much to sway big-name players to sign on, though. In Durant's case, he's already scheduled meetings with six teams: the Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers, per ESPN.com.
All of those teams just made the playoffs, whereas the Lakers are coming off their worst season in franchise history at 17-65. Although the makeup of the team stands to be far different following Kobe Bryant's retirement, L.A. is hardly in a position to win anytime soon.
Durant will likely seek to join a more championship-ready team, considering he's yet to win an NBA title and is going to want as many chances as possible to seize the Larry O'Brien Trophy in his prime.
As for the trio Broussard mentions, there is definitely a need in the frontcourt for someone like Horford or Whiteside.
Horford has thrived at the 4 and the 5 for the Atlanta Hawks and would be an intriguing, versatile fit alongside Julius Randle. However, he is likely in the same boat as Durant in that he'll want to play for a bigger winner at age 30 after failing to get over the hump in Atlanta.
