The Oklahoma City Thunder players, coaches and executives aren't the only people lobbying to keep Kevin Durant around for the long haul.
This summer's most sought-after free agent has the attention of the state's highest official.
During a question-and-answer session for the Oklahoma Press Association's annual convention on Saturday, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin said that she's willing to offer Durant a spot on her Cabinet. On one condition, of course: He has to stay with the Thunder.
“If Kevin Durant thinks about leaving, which I hope he doesn’t — Oklahoma loves Kevin Durant and Kevin Durant loves Oklahoma. But if he’ll stay, I’ll make him a Cabinet person for health and fitness on my Cabinet,” Fallin said, per the Tulsa World.
Worth a shot, right?
Durant, who can't officially talk to teams until the free agency period tips off on July 1, averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists on 50.5% shooting this season and finished fifth in the league's MVP voting.
While the seven-time All-Star has remained tight-lipped on his free agency plans, he made clear in his exit interview at the end of the season that the two most important factors that will impact his decision are his teammates and the basketball environment — two factors that he says he has in Oklahoma City.
"The most important things for me are the type of people I'm going to be around every single day and if I'm enjoying playing basketball. That's the thing I really want to center everything around," Durant said. "I love my teammates here, I love playing basketball here. That's what's important to me. Obviously winning a championship is what we all want to do, but at the same time you want to be around good people, you want to be in a good environment, a good culture, so that's the most important to me."
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