These teams all have one thing in common: they are already playoff or even championship-contending teams.

Adding Durant turns a playoff team into a championship contender, and a championship contender into the overwhelming favorite.

Durant is about to enter the tenth year of his career.

James won his first championship in his 11th year, and even if Tang Tian discounted his first two years as a role player, he won a championship in his fifth year.

If he doesn't win a championship again, he'll never have a chance to catch up with the two of them.

Durant's destination has attracted the attention of the entire league, but this has little to do with the Pelicans.

Because they are the only team that is not interested in Durant.

After successively finalizing the contracts of Davis, Tang Tian, Holiday, and Bojan, the Pelicans set their sights on minor adjustments.

As Tang Tian had predicted, Aminu is very popular in the free market and has already received a 4-year, $40 million contract from the Trail Blazers.

The Pelicans' salary will skyrocket in the next two years. With Holiday, Ariza, and Bojan already having contracts for ten million-level role players, they are ready to give up.

So what they need to strengthen now is not only a backup point guard after trading Dinwiddie, but also a backup power forward.

Of course, because McGee's contract is expiring, a backup center is also a place to consider.

In this year's free agent market, in addition to superstars like Durant and Westbrook, there are many role players as well.

The Pelicans have a stable core lineup and also have young players. When strengthening, experience and immediate combat power are definitely their top priorities.

There are many role players in the free market who meet their requirements.

In terms of point guards, Jennings, Deron, Jamal Crawford, Lin Shuhao, and Augustine are all within the scope of consideration.

In terms of power forwards, David West, Jeff Green, Barmote, and Richard Jefferson are all suitable candidates.

In terms of centers, whether to renew McGee's contract needs to be considered, and Nene, Boban Marjanovic, and Haslem are all available candidates.

Deng Pusi now trusts Tang Tian, and on minor adjustments, he also tries to discuss with Tang Tian.

After the two discussed, Deron and Lin Shuhao were their target choices for backup point guards.

When the Pelicans are strengthening, in addition to experience and immediate combat power, what also needs to be considered is the team role.

Like Crawford, who has a strong offensive desire, he must have a lot of shots to show his role no matter which team he goes to, which is different from the role the Pelicans need.

Moreover, with Stephenson already staying, they don't need players with too high a possession rate.

In terms of power forwards, David West and Jeff Green, as well as Barmote, are all available candidates.

In the tit-for-tat playoffs, especially against teams like the Warriors that like to use small lineups, defense is definitely one of the aspects that needs to be considered.

In terms of centers, because there is already Biyombo, and Harrell, who had a brilliant performance in last season's playoffs, what they need are players with other functions.

Based on this premise, Boban will be the first target, followed by McGee or Nene.

Players and teams are a two-way choice. These are the Pelicans' target candidates, but who they will sign in the end depends on Deng Pusi's negotiation skills.

Just as Deng Pusi began negotiations, Durant quickly ended his meetings with seven teams.

A series of rumors were subsequently revealed by woj.

After Durant finished meeting with the Knicks, according to insiders from the Knicks team who participated in the meeting, Durant was very interested in joining Apple City;

The meeting between Durant and the Rockets team went surprisingly smoothly. Because of James Harden, Durant's joining is extremely likely;

Durant's meeting with the Clippers was calmer than expected. The Los Angeles factor was not as attractive to Durant as imagined;

Durant and the Warriors team had a very pleasant meeting. He was very interested in cooperating with Curry and Thompson, and Green chatted with Durant like a brother;

Durant's meeting with the Thunder was held last. The meeting team included team owner Clay Bennett and general manager Sam Presti. It is reported that Westbrook did not participate in it. The meeting between the two parties ended smoothly;

…

It can be seen from a series of information revealed by woj that with the end of the meeting, Durant's next home has been narrowed down to the Rockets, Warriors, and Knicks.

These teams all have one thing in common: they are already championship-contending teams.

This conveys a strong signal that team strength will be the most important factor in Durant's final decision.

July 7th, seven days have passed since the start of the player free market, and after this day, the freeze period for free agent signings will also end.

At this moment, woj successively revealed several signing information.

The Pelicans completed several waves of signings in a row.

After Lin Shuhao chose to join the Nets for 3 years and 40 million, and formed a double-gun backcourt with Russell.

They reached a 2-year, $5 million contract with veteran Deron Williams, with a team option in the second year.

It is reported that Deron also received a 1-year, $5 million offer from the Cavaliers, but he ultimately chose to join the Pelicans.

The Pelicans reached a one-year veteran minimum salary contract with veteran David West, with a contract amount of approximately $1.55 million.

West's original intention of leaving the Pacers was to compete for the championship, and his purpose was quite clear.

He was more optimistic about the Rockets who formed the Big Three last season, and this year he is more optimistic about the defending champion.

As an important rotation player for the Rockets last season, West averaged 7.8 points and 3.7 rebounds in 18 minutes of playing time, with a shooting percentage as high as 55%.

It can be said that the Pelicans made a considerable profit by signing him with a minimum salary.

These two signings were basically in Tang Tian's plan, but the subsequent signing made him happy.

In the case of simultaneously offering a 3-year, 21 million contract with the Pistons, Boban Marjanovic chose to join the Pelicans, and the Spurs did not match the contract.

In the signing process, in addition to the Pelicans' strength and the respect given, his Serbian national teammate Jokic was also a factor in joining.

The loss of Dinwiddie made the Pelicans look like their strength was damaged, but these successive signings not only restored their strength, but even improved it.

However, before fans could start discussing these, the news revealed by woj at the last moment attracted all their attention.

Durant announced his final decision on this day.

He will join the Golden State Warriors.

"I'm very excited to be a part of the Warriors. I'm very much looking forward to working with Stephen and Klay. In fact, I had this idea last year, and now it's come true. I look forward to bringing more championships to the fans in the Bay Area."