Kevin Durant is undoubtedly the most coveted free agent in the summer of 2016 while the LA Lakers is presumed to be the team that will badly need a new franchise player. Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant can still be a real tandem and the two players are not averse to the idea.

Durant recently addressed the issue on whether Kobe Bryant was a bad teammate. He even used the 'BS' word and actually said he would love to play with the Mamba. What does the NBA MVP like about him?

From USA Today: "Just his work ethic, just his demeanor man. He doesn't mind being an [expletive], and he comes to work man. He's intense. He demands a lot out of his teammates, and I've seen that just playing alongside him in the Olympics [in 2012]. He demands a lot out of everybody. He makes them better. Everybody out on the court. You've got to respect that. As a player, I study guys like that. We might not have the same personality, but I think we approach the game the same way and I've learned a lot from just watching him."

On the other side of the fence, Kobe Bryant also talked of Durant after their game against each other Thursday night (from ESPN LA): "No, I think we know each other pretty well. I don't think it's a discussion that you have in terms of coming here. But I think it's more of an understanding how to play with each other."

Of course, the issue of recruiting him to Tinseltown came up: "If the opportunity came up, then that's the time to have that discussion."

Kobe talked more about Durant's evolution as a player: "When he first came into the league, he was more of a perimeter player. He's since evolved his game to now being a great post player, a great passer out of double teams, a great mid-range game. His evolution as a basketball player just keeps getting better and better."

Will he stick around after his contract expires because of Durant (if he does join the Lakers)? "I don't know. Maybe. But it's really my call, man. If I want to play, I'll play. If I don't, I don't. If I don't want to play anymore and go through the process of getting my body ready day in and day out, I'm not going to play."

The plot thickens in the Kevin Durant saga. The OKC Thunder need no less than a title to keep him.