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Robb: Isaiah Thomas Will Do 'Everything He Can' to Recruit Kevin Durant to Celtics

BOSTON (CBS) – Isaiah Thomas did not wait long after the Oklahoma City Thunder's playoff run ended to let the NBA world know he had his sights set on recruiting Kevin Durant this summer. The All-Star point guard tweeted out Durant's No. 35 with a shamrock just moments after the Thunder fell to the Warriors in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals before deleting the tweet shortly afterwards.

Turns out, that subtle message is just the beginning of what will be a full court press the 5-foot-9 speedster plans to put on the soon-to-be free agent superstar this summer.

Thomas told the Boston Globe's Adam Himmelsbach in a recent phone interview that he will be pulling out all the stops for the Thunder forward in an attempt to lure him to the Celtics this summer.

"I definitely want to give him some time," Thomas said of recruiting Durant. "I know that was a tough series and a long season for him. I wouldn't want anyone calling me up about the biggest decision of my life right after the season's over. So I'll probably give him some time and casually talk to him, and then go all-in."

Asked about what he meant by the all-in remarks, Thomas told Himmelsbach, "I mean, do everything I can to get him to sign, somehow, someway, hopefully."

Multiple reports have indicated in recent weeks that the Thunder have the best odds of re-signing the nine-year veteran on a short-term deal, but a source told Sean Deveney of the Sporting News that the 6-foot-9 forward may not prefer a shorter pact, despite the financial advantages.

"He is not the kind of guy who wants to fiddle around in free agency and sort of play the system that way," said one source who has worked with Durant (via the Sporting News). "That is not his personality. He likes stability and it is kind of a gamble to be taking a short contract and then trying to come back and do it all over again in a year. That's the other thing. He is not someone who wants to go through this twice, I really don't think. It's no sure thing."

That kind of mentality makes it possible that this summer may be Boston's only crack at landing the 27-year-old in free agency.

Danny Ainge has assembled enough salary cap space to sign Durant and one other max free agent this July, but it remains to be seen whether Boston will be a legitimate possibility for the perennial All-Star. It's evident that Thomas will be doing his best to ensure the Celtics do gain some consideration.

Brian Robb covers the Celtics for CBS Boston and contributes to NBA.com, among other media outlets. You can follow him on Twitter @CelticsHub.

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