The Wizards should hire Kevin Durant as their next GM

There’s been an eerie silence since Tim Connelly turned down the Wizards’ offer to run their basketball department. Washington didn’t jump to hire one of the other three candidates they’ve interviewed, which makes one wonder if they’re targeting someone on the Warriors or the Raptors, considering both are still focused on their current teams.

Warriors assistant GM Larry Harris has been suggested as a candidate. Some have even suggested Raptors President Masai Ujiri could be a darkhorse for the job. Still, it seems we’ve forgotten the most obvious candidate for the opening—Warriors forward Kevin Durant. Consider what Durant would bring to the table:

• As you may have heard, Kevin Durant is from the area. Ties to the DMV area were nearly enough to draw Tim Connelly away from the second-best team in the West, they might just be enough to draw Durant away from the best team in the West, especially if they lose to the Raptors. (The Raptors, as you may recall, were swept by the Wizards in the 2015 playoffs).
• Kevin Durant has the gravitas it takes to draw star talent to Washington, such as Kevin Durant.
• Durant’s next move needs to solidify his legacy. LeBron James has had his ups and downs as the quasi-GM of the Cavaliers and Lakers. Durant could make his mark by being the literal GM of his own team and taking them from one of the worst teams in the league into one of the best. If he does that, it strengthens his argument for why he’s the best basketball player of his generation.
• Durant can one-up Michael Jordan here by doing something he couldn’t—build a playoff contender in Washington.

It just makes sense, folks. I bet Durant the player would even be willing to cut Durant the GM a discount in negotiations. Everyone wins!

In summary: