NBA Rumors: Kevin Durant To The Knicks This Offseason, Other Trade News
NBA trade rumors and other related news are spiraling now that the deadline is less than a month away, but the biggest news could be a free agency decision by one of the league’s biggest stars. Despite being among the top players in the NBA over the past nine seasons, Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant still has not won a championship. While the Thunder are once again one of the best teams in the league and are sure to win the Northwest Division, they are not viewed as a favorite to compete for a championship this year.
Previously, the Inquisitr reported that Durant could sign with the Golden State Warriors in the offseason. While there is still a chance that Durant joins the NBA’s best team, the latest rumors have him signing with the New York Knicks. With a record of 22-23, the Knicks are a mediocre basketball team at best. While they have a rich history, they just have not been competitive in a consistently weak Eastern Conference over the past 15 years.
Don’t forget about Kevin Durant. pic.twitter.com/gmTvBdl7bs
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 20, 2016
The future for the Knicks is bright though, and there is a chance that Durant could join Knicks star Carmelo Anthony and rookie sensation Kristaps Porzingis. While Porzingis was widely viewed as a potential bust coming out of the draft, he has proven that he is a star in the making. With Anthony and Porzingis, Durant could join the Knicks and form a formidable “Big Three.”
While Durant has long been linked to the Knicks, Movie News Guide reports that the Knicks are targeting him in free agency this year. In November, Durant and the Thunder traveled to New York to take on the Knicks. While Durant missed the game because of an injury, he was still able to closely watch what the Knicks have put together.
If the city of New York was not already impressive enough for Durant, he was able to see Anthony and Porzingis in action, and he also got to speak with his former teammate and current Knicks head coach, Derek Fisher. As reported by the New York Daily News, the Knicks are looking to make a splash in the offseason and may finally be in the position to do so. Instead of being one of the worst teams in the league, their bright future is a huge selling point for a star that is looking to have a chance at a championship. If the decision were up to Porzingis, he would love to bring Durant in as a teammate.
“Just how skinny as he is, how he draws fouls, how aggressive he is offensively ? those kind of things (I’ve tried to learn from Durant). I’ve seen a lot of highlights. My brother always makes tapes of him, how he plays. There’s a lot to learn from a guy like him.”
As one of the league’s best players, Durant is going to get a huge contract this summer. At the moment, the Knicks are only going to have approximately $19 million in cap space available, according to ESPN. Durant’s contract is going to be in excess of $25 million a year, so the Knicks are going to have to waive certain players or make trades to make more cap room. Since a player like Durant does not hit free agency often, the Knicks are going to do everything possible to make enough cap room for him if they believe that he is their guy.
"It's a true blessing." Kevin Durant & Russell Westbrook react to being selected by fans to be @NBAAllStar starters. https://t.co/e05jqrZFH1
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) January 22, 2016
As reported in September of 2015 by Fox Sports, Anthony has also been directly recruiting Durant to sign with the Knicks in the offseason. In the article, Stephen A. Smith of ESPN gives his take on the chance that it happens.
“I know for a fact that Carmelo Anthony has been and will continue to recruit Kevin Durant until the cows come home. I’m also hearing that Kevin Durant is giving the New York Knicks consideration.”
While it is apparent that the Knicks would love to have Kevin Durant on their team and Durant would consider signing with the Knicks, the next few months are going to factor heavily into his decision. If the Thunder somehow manage to win the championship, Durant could choose to stay in Oklahoma City in order to start a potential dynasty with Russell Westbrook. While they have won a lot of games together, they have not been good enough to win a championship and a change might make sense.
Rumors regarding Kevin Durant’s home for the 2016-2017 NBA season will continue until he officially announces his decision. While many analysts still believe that Durant is most likely to re-sign with the Thunder, there is a real chance that he becomes a member of the New York Knicks.
[Photo by Harry How/Getty Images]
