New York Knicks Rumor: Kevin Durant would sign with Knicks?

Kevin Durant to the New York Knicks? Apparently, it’s a possibility.

On Thursday, numerous media outlets began reporting Kevin Durant is considering a move to the New York Knicks this summer after his contract expires.

The New York Knicks? Seriously?

I feel like David after going to the dentist. Is this real life?

I’m honestly speechless. Durant has seen the Knicks play this season, right?

According to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, it’s a definite possibility:

"“No question about it,” says a person close to Durant. “Kevin loves Carmelo (Anthony). It could work in New York. But never rule out the Thunder.”OKC entered Wednesday’s game against the Knicks sitting in 10th place in the mighty Western Conference and with a date against Memphis on Saturday. Durant, who is expected to play against the Grizzlies, spent part of Wednesday’s pregame chatting with Anthony on the court. He is close to Derek Fisher, his former teammate, and admires Knicks executives Steve Mills and Allan Houston.Is that enough to get Durant to New York? The Lakers will have cap space, Dallas is a perennial contender and Washington is home.But at least the Knicks are in the game, which is more than we can say about the current team on most nights."

While it’s exciting news, Durant hasn’t said anything about playing for the Knicks, and we don’t even know who this “person close to Durant” is. Who knows if they are a reliable source?

Nothing could turn the Knicks around faster than adding the former NBA MVP and second-best player in the world, but I’m seriously skeptical about the idea that includes Kevin Durant actually leaving Oklahoma City and joining a team like the Knicks.

Is it possible for Durant to join the Knicks?

Yes!

With Amar’e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani coming off the books this season, the New York Knicks will have about $30 million in cap space just from getting those to contracts off the books.

The Knicks could have even more cap space depending on how the NBA structures the rising salary cap with the new nine-year, $24 billion TV deal. If the salary cap jumps a considerable amount, it’s possible the Knicks could reload their roster with two superstar talents, like Durant and Marc Gasol, this offseason.

Of course, we’re just speculating here, but that would be a deadly combination with Gasol and Durant on the same team.

New York might have the money to make it happen.

Would Durant work on the Knicks?

As we’ve seen throughout NBA history, fit is incredibly important.

Even with Durant, are we sure the Knicks would be that much better?

Carmelo Anthony is good, and Durant is good, but that doesn’t make a team with those two “good-good.”

Durant might love Anthony and might love to play with Anthony, but the last time I checked, the NBA isn’t 2K. You can’t put two players who basically play the same position and shoot about 20 times per game each, and then, assume it’s all going to turn out perfectly.

Season	G	MP	FG	FGA	FG%	3P%	TRB	AST	BLK	PTS
2012-13 ★	81	38.5	9.0	17.7	.510	.416	7.9	4.6	1.3	28.1
2013-14 ★	81	38.5	10.5	20.8	.503	.391	7.4	5.5	0.7	32.0
2014-15	21	33.1	9.0	17.2	.519	.393	6.7	4.1	1.0	25.6
Career	563	38.0	9.2	19.1	.481	.378	6.9	3.5	1.0	27.3

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/30/2015.

I’m not saying Durant and Anthony wouldn’t be great together, but there’ll be a lot of money committed to two players who basically have the same skill set.

On top of all of that, you have to build a team around Anthony and Durant to take care of other areas, like defense. I think Phil Jackson would do a good job building a championship team around Durant and Anthony, but are we so sure he has the structure within the Knicks organization to develop young talent?

As long as James Dolan is still the head honcho, I doubt Phil can realistically put those structures in place and keep them in place when Dolan starts to get greedy.

Why would he want to come to New York?

That’s still the most important question in this whole New York Knicks mess; why would Durant want to come to New York?

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Well, the endorsement opportunities would be ridiculous compared to Oklahoma City. Durant’s name and face would be on every corner in New York, so Durant would have the ability to make way more money in New York than he would in Oklahoma City or Washington D.C.

That’s a huge pull.

Also, if Durant was able to turn around basketball in New York, something no one as been able to do since Patrick Ewing in the 1990s, Durant would go down as one of the all-timers in New York pro sports history. If Durant wants the glory, New York might be a great place to try and win a championship.

Apr 19, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Derek Fisher (6) slaps hands with forward Kevin Durant (35) after a play in action against the Memphis Grizzlies in game one during the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Most importantly, Durant could also be looking at playing in New York for legitimate basketball reasons.

Phil Jackson is one of the best coaches in NBA history, and Durant has the opportunity to play for Phil’s minion, Derk Fisher, who also played with Durant in Oklahoma City.

It’s been reported that Durant and Fisher have a great relationship, and Durant actually tried to convince Anthony to stay and play for Fisher in New York, according to NBC Sports.

That’s not nothing.

Durant is going to be the most coveted free agent since LeBron James left Cleveland to go to Miami. Wherever Durant decides to play will be more than lucky to have him. It’s a little early for me to even think the Knicks are a possibility for Durant, but it sounds like they’ll definitely be in the conversation.

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