The Knicks have been viewed as major players in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes, but a league source tells Stefan Bondy of The New York Post that New York won’t be pursuing the Suns star.
A report this morning from ESPN’s Shams Charania identified the Knicks as one of the teams that have expressed interest in acquiring Durant. He also mentioned the Rockets, Spurs, Heat and Timberwolves, but said other clubs have made inquiries as well. According to Charania, the Suns and Durant’s business partner, Boardroom CEO Rich Kleiman, are reviewing trade scenarios with the expectation that talks will intensify before the first night of the draft.
If the Knicks have decided not to make an offer, it’s likely due to reluctance to break up a roster that just reached the Eastern Conference Finals. Durant will make $54.7MM next season, which is the last year of his current contract, and he’ll be looking for an extension with his next team.
To match salaries in a Durant trade, New York would either have to part with Karl-Anthony Towns, who is owed $53.1MM next year, or give up multiple rotation players. The Knicks made major changes last summer by trading for Towns and Mikal Bridges and may not be eager to shake up the roster again.
Durant’s age could also be a factor into the Knicks’ decision. He’ll turn 37 in September, and although he’s coming off another productive season — averaging 26.6 PPG while shooting 52.7% from the field and 43% from three-point range — he missed 20 games and his durability might become a greater issue as he gets older.
The Knicks are built around a team of relatively young veterans, with Towns and Josh Hart as the oldest rotation members at age 30, and they may not want to shorten their window as title contenders by giving up major assets to bring in Durant.
The Knicks heavily pursued Durant in free agency in 2019, when he was recovering from a torn Achilles. Bondy states that Durant’s father, Wayne, was pushing him to sign with New York at the time, but he opted for Brooklyn instead.
Smart decision on Knicks part
I feel that there are about 7 teams want Durant – 3 other hidden teams
As they shouldn’t. They sent 5 firsts for Bridges.
They are content with what they have.
Content or don’t have the assets to make it happen?
They have the assets to get him but that would weaken their team in other ways.
I guess if they are giving up Bridges or OG maybe. Suns aren’t interested in KAT so that’s not an avenue.
You tell me. If they were gonna do something they would have done it. Excuses are for children.
Yes ghost no assets suns would want and he does absolutely nothing for the knickerbockers.
Ok what skinwalker stole dolan’s epidermis and took over the team!??
I think the Knicks were finding out they could not just do this deal without involving one or two more teams. They did not have the draft picks the Suns are looking for and the players. No loss though there still is a chance that Gianis may still say he wants to be traded.
I’d be surprised if a Durant deal were to include more than one 1st. 1 year at full sticker price for a 37 year old who misses games.
You may be right, but it will come down to KD reputation as a scorer that average 27.0 pts a game, plus you still have 3 or 4 teams that want him, my question is how bad and if so, they could start competing again each other with offers. Especially if Gianis decides to stay in Milwaukee.
Those numbers only matter when he’s on the floor. He’s done. Zero defense, overpriced, old, overhyped, and a cancer to any management team or coach.
Memphis, Houston, Detroit.
golden state, golden state, golden state
Most Rockets fans think they”lol offer VanVleet and 10th pick for Durant
I am under the impression that there was certain degree of agreement between Rockets and Rich Paul—-Rockets offer VanVleet 4 years $100 mm contract
If you trade VanVleet to Suns, he could lose $50 million
I think since Houston has Phoenix four first round picks, I think they would settle for the 10th pick, Whitmore and those first round picks being returned to Phoenix would satisfy the Suns for Durant.
All of these stories about what the Knicks aren’t going to do are fascinating.
Great (if true). It never made much sense. NYK need to use the few resources they have to improve their defense.
Harrison Barnes & Stephon Castle to NYK for OG Anunoby
No thanks. We’ll keep OG.
Who from GSW would the Knicks feasibly want for OG?
No. Just no.
Random drug test comment.
Knicks are a nobody team. Always have been. The arena is more famous than the team.
Best comment about the Knicks ever.
Knicks are the best team sports example of modern America supporting mediocrity more than greatness. It legit makes no sense how mid they are but they have a massive fanbase who annoyingly forces the media to cover them way more than their fellow mid teams who are never going to win a title in the modern NBA.
They should contract the Knicks and Nets and give NYC 2 expansion teams that don’t stink of loserdom. Both teams have been worthless entirely since 2000.
Nets went to the finals twice since then.
Wonder if Wolves would make sense
Gobert, Dillingham, Divincenzo
Resign Reid
Sign trade Randle
Dump Randle and Donte. Although I’m sure no one wants them with the season they had. Esp ref season Donte and playoff Randle.
KD to the Knicks has never been a good idea, they don’t have any parts that the Suns would even want or draft picks. Cool article though.
I’m telling you all, the only possible trade that makes sense for both sides is KD for Jimmy Butler, 1-1. No other team will be able to match up as well as this, plus Jimmy wanted to be in Phoenix to begin with.
Nurse, your patient is awake and got out of the infirmary again.
FankenStein needs a new brain lol …. this one is wearing out. This brain can’t process more than one team.
I would do this don’t know if Suns would …..
Durant and Dunn to Knicks ——
Towns and McBride to Suns ——
God no…
Think of this. Wolves had to take Randle to get rid of Towns.