Durant meets with Thunder to kick off free agency tour

The 2014 MVP and four-time scoring champion led the Thunder to the NBA Finals in 2012, and to the Western Conference finals in four of the past six years — and he's only 27.

Durant and the Thunder's young core could make a move in the West, provided that the youngest emerging stars — Steven Adams and Enes Kanter — continue to improve at their rapid pace.

The Thunder made a draft night trade and sent forward Serge Ibaka to Orlando for guard Victor Oladipo, forward Ersan Ilyasova and draft pick Domantas Sabonis, strengthening the team's depth and shoring up a question mark at shooting guard.

Durant can maximize his earning potential by re-signing a contract with the Thunder that allows him to become a free agent again next year, then signing a longer deal when the salary cap takes another big jump.