Fabolous -- I'm Down to Rap with Kevin Durant ... But He Better Be Good

Fabolous has his eyes (and ears) on NBA superstar Kevin Durant -- not for courtside seats -- but to record a song because he thinks KD could be the Crockett to his Hip Hop Tubbs.

F-A-B-O-L-O-U-S was out in NYC when our photog asked him to pick a rhyming partner from the crop of athletes trying to spit lyrics right now.

Watch the video -- Fab doesn't hesitate to shout out Kevin, but he does seem to have some doubts about his pedigree on the mic.

Here you go Fab ... we did the research for you.