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Assuming Kevin Durant even makes it to NBA free agency, he can't sign a contract with another team for nine months.

But despite how far in the future July 1, 2016 looks, it hasn't stopped incessant rumors from picking up.

The Oklahoma City Thunder star apparently could turn westward for his newest payday, according to ESPN's Stephen A. Smith who cited sources on "First Take"that told him Durant could be interested in signing with the Los Angeles Lakers.

"Regardless of how senseless it may (sound), in one breath I'm hearing that if Kevin Durant doesn't stay in Oklahoma City, L.A. is his primary objective and landing spot as opposed to South Beach or even his home of Washington, D.C.," Smith said, as transcribed by Bleacher Report.

Durant also has been linked to the Boston Celtics, though a scenario in which the superstar finds his way to the TD Garden in free agency is hard to picture.

If we thought it was bad with LeBron James (in 2010 or 2014, pick your poison), we're in store for something just as long and tedious at the very least.

Thumbnail photo via Mark D. Smith/USA TODAY Sports Images