Oh, it’s the off-season?

So, we’re going to be talking about #KD2DC from now until the summer of 2016. Since there’s not going to be any Washington Wizards basketball for at least the next few months, the Kevin Durant speculation is going to inevitably heat up.

With the Oklahoma City Thunder hiring a rookie head coach, Billy Donovan, the future of their franchise could be determined this upcoming season. After missing the playoffs following an injury plagued regular season, the Thunder have to make a deep run in the 2015-2016 season or else questions surrounding their future will arise.

The Washington Wizards are planning to make a run at the hometown hero, Kevin Durant, in 2016. That’s not a secret. This past season, they agreed to two-year deals with all of their free agents signings. Nene’s $13 million contract will expire before the chase for Kevin Durant begins. Washington has been planning this for the last few seasons.

Still, even though Kevin Durant loves the DMV area and will forever be connected to D.C., there are going to be other teams pursuing the former MVP. The Miami HEAT are also planning on making a push for Durant.

However, according to a report by the Sun Sentinel, the Washington Wizards are the top alternative for Kevin Durant:

“First, one of Durant’s associates in South Florida has been telling me for months that if Durant leaves the Thunder it would be to return home to Washington.” (h/t HoopsRumors)

Realistically, it’s going to take a lot for the Wizards to lure Kevin Durant away from Oklahoma City Thunder — regardless of the connection he has with the nation’s capital.

Durant, when healthy, is arguably the best player in the league. Russell Westbrook has the talent to become a top 7-8 player in the NBA and Serge Ibaka is an All-Star caliber talent. Right now, the Wizards don’t match up well with the Thunder talent-wise.

Even though playing along side the best back court in the Eastern Conference — John Wall and Bradley Beal — is intriguing, it might not be enough to get Durant away from the Thunder, who are undoubtedly championship contenders when healthy.

With that said, the road to the NBA Finals is a lot tougher in the West than it is in the East.

An anonymous player recently said, off record, that Kevin Durant will be the first player to jump over to the East, looking for an easier path to the Finals. Instead of having to face teams like the Spurs, Rockets, Warriors, Clippers, etc., Kevin Durant would only have to worry about LeBron James and Co. in Cleveland.

For now, we’ll just have to imagine a John Wall, Kevin Durant duo matching up against Kyrie Irving and LeBron. Washington might not on Durant’s mind right now, but if that time ever comes, the Wizards will be ready.