Latest Knicks intel points to potential blockbuster but it may cost them a superstar

Even though the NBA playoffs have not even started, there is already speculation regarding what the offseason could have in store.

Phoenix Suns All-Star Kevin Durant was a topic of conversation prior to this season's trade deadline. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the New York Knicks were one of the teams that were interested in bringing in the former MVP.

Latest Knicks intel points to a Kevin Durant blockbuster, but it may cost them Karl-Anthony Towns.

"Kevin Durant could definitely be traded this offseason..," Charania said on the Pat McAfee Show earlier this week. "It just hasn't worked out for this Suns team.."

"There was mutual interest at the trade deadline with Golden State, Minnesota, New York, Houston, Miami, and San Antonio."

While there were other teams mentioned by the insider, New York would admittedly be an interesting landing spot. The Knicks have formed one of the strongest teams in the Eastern Conference, thanks in large part to Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby.

Adding Durant to this mix would be an intriguing pivot for a team that is trying to make a serious NBA Finals run sooner rather than later. But from a salary perspective, New York may have to give up Karl-Anthony Towns in order to make this happen.

Towns was acquired before the start of this season and has been a solid addition. Through 68 games, the Kentucky product has averaged 24.3 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists while shooting roughly 52% from the field and about 42% from distance.

Towns has helped make the Knicks' offense more versatile by giving them a player who can create in the paint and score from outside the arc. New York is presently 5th in offensive rating, and it is hard to envision a world where this would have happened without the 29-year-old veteran.

For this reason, it is not known if the Knicks would want to sacrifice Towns in order to bring in Durant. While Durant would provide scoring and another immediate threat from range, the 36-year-old's age may eventually prevent him from being a defensive asset. New York would then have to lean even more heavily on Bridges and Anunoby in this regard.

Of course, it is not fully known if the Knicks, Suns, or even Durant would be willing to explore such a deal this summer. At the very least, this latest tidbit suggests that Durant may be looking for greener pastures and that the Knicks might be actively searching for ways to improve from a personnel perspective.