My initial reaction to the Warriors’ potential interest in signing the Thunder’s Kevin Durant was heck no. Golden State’s run over the last year and a half includes many record-pacing events and a NBA title. Why change a lineup that wins at an unprecedented pace?

Durant is due to be a free agent on July 1, and according to the Vertical, the Warriors are interested. Durant’s preference is to apparently stay in Oklahoma City, however, if the Thunder can’t swing a new contract for him, he could be traded. The trade deadline closes on Thursday at noon PST.

According to the Vertical’s scenarios, the Warriors could afford Durant if they failed to sign Harrison Barnes and parted with 31-year-old Andrew Bogut and 32-year-old Andre Igoudala. Others like Mo Speights and Leandro Barbosa might also have to leave.

So “the heck no” part of me says Bogut has been surprisingly healthy over the last 18 months and is in the best shape of his life after cutting sugar from his diet before the season. Iguadala’s chronic knee pain seems to be manageable, if not abated somewhat.

The Warriors could possibly eke out two more years from both of those players. Couple that with Festus Ezeli’s frequent injuries and the Warriors would be giving away serious rim defense in a Durant deal.

Also, can Durant fit in the offense? He is used to being the first option and presumably he will be in a secondary scoring role to Steph Curry. A humble superstar like Curry, Durant might accept sharing the scoring load, but who is to

know?

The Thunder has a forceful scoring threat at guard in Russell Westbrook, and when he gobbles up too much of the offense, the Thunder sputter. So why should we expect pairing Durant with Curry would be seamless?

Additionally, even though Durant says and does the right things, the Thunder have underachieved with him. Remember, OKC once had a big three of Durant, Westbrook and James Harden, although Harden wasn’t as good as he is now.

And, Durant plays a one-on-one type of game. Will that fit in with what the Warriors do?

Signing him would be a risk.

It will also re-make the Warriors into a younger team, and the core of Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green would stay intact. However, the team could be significantly worse defensively. Durant is an improving defender and a tough guy, but he’s not a shot blocker or an ominous presence around the rim.

However, he can defend many different types of players and the Warriors value that type of versatility.

His offensive skills are unquestioned, but his ability to mix in with this Warriors group poses the biggest question. For that reason, I wouldn’t sign Durant if I was general manager Bob Myers.

The bigger question is, would you?

Twitter: @klynch49