Kevin Durant would make sense as a marquee name if the Sonics return to Seattle

Kevin Durant was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics with the second overall pick in the 2007 draft. He has gone on to become an all-time great in the NBA. He's arguably the most gifted scorer of his generation. Recently, there have been rumors swirling about a potential NBA expansion. Seattle would be near the top of the list to launch an expansion team.

According to Hall of Famer and former Sonics big man Spencer Haywood, he and Durant have spoken about a potential return to where his career began. 

"Me and Durant are still talking about Seattle," Haywood told HoopsHype's Jake Uitti. "We talked about it at the All-Star Game [this year]. I can’t go any further — there’s some sneaky stuff going on that I can’t talk about because it’s private. But I wouldn’t be surprised if I see him in a Sonics uniform [again]. I was with his mother at the All-Star Game — with him and his mother, everybody. I’m just saying."

Durant is the type of marquee name who would launch the SuperSonics back into immediate relevancy. It's not uncommon for star talents to return to their first team before they retire. It would give Durant an opportunity to give back to the franchise that gave him his chance in the NBA. 

However, league expansion doesn't appear to be imminent. As such, Durant will likely continue with the Phoenix Suns for the time being. The franchise has built a contending team around him. He has two All-Star teammates, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. It's unlikely Durant will leave Phoenix in the near future.

Still, if there's an option to head back to Seattle before calling time on his career, it would make sense for Durant to explore it. At 35 years old, he could remain in the league for another three to five years. That would allow plenty of time for discussions around league expansion to progress. 

If there was ever a team that could coax one more move out of Durant, it would be Seattle. Only Adam Silver knows if we will ever get the chance to see that happen.