The Knicks have entered the Kevin Durant sweepstakes — and there’s an opportunity they might win it outright.
The Durant in Phoenix period is formally coming to an finish, and in accordance to ESPN, the 2 sides have met “multiple times over the past week” to debate commerce situations following a disappointing season that ended with out a playoff berth.
Durant, a two-time NBA champion, two-time NBA Finals Most Helpful Participant, former league MVP, and one of many biggest scorers in historical past, reportedly listed the Knicks amongst his most well-liked locations — alongside the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Warmth.
Durant has one 12 months and $54.7 million left on his deal and is anticipated to signal a two-year, $112 million extension with whichever crew acquires him. The Knicks, contemporary off their first Jap Convention Finals look in 25 years, are actually within the combine — simply days after firing head coach Tom Thibodeau.
WHAT WOULD A DURANT DEAL LOOK LIKE?
Given their present cap scenario — roughly $4 million above the primary apron — the Knicks can’t take again extra wage than they ship out. That, plus the age discrepancy within the latter finish of Durant’s profession, probably guidelines out utilizing Karl-Anthony Cities ($53.1M) or franchise cornerstone Jalen Brunson ($34.9M) as salary-matching anchors to facilitate a deal.
As a substitute, the Knicks would want to piece collectively a package deal from their subsequent tier of high-salaried gamers: OG Anunoby ($39.5M), Mikal Bridges ($24.9M), Josh Hart ($19.5M) and Mitchell Robinson ($12.9M). Matching Durant’s $54.7M would require stacking no less than two or three of these names — and even then, it will get sophisticated.
Anunoby’s 15% commerce kicker — about $6.6M yearly for throughout the lifetime of his deal — is paid by the Knicks however counts towards Phoenix’s books. If he doesn’t waive the kicker, it places his Yr 1 cap hit nearer to $45 million, which implies the Knicks nonetheless want so as to add one other $10 million in wage simply to fulfill Durant’s value.
Complicating issues: the Suns are additionally over the second apron. They will’t take again more cash than they ship out and are prohibited from aggregating salaries in a commerce. Which means any deal for Durant would require a 3rd and even fourth crew to facilitate.
The Knicks even have restricted draft capital to sweeten the pot. They’ve already despatched out 5 first-round picks within the deal for Bridges, which leaves them with solely the Wizards’ top-eight protected 2026 first-rounder (which might convert into two seconds), swap rights in 2026, 2030, and 2032, and eight second-rounders — probably 10 if the Wizards decide doesn’t convey.
WHAT DO SUNS WANT?
Phoenix mortgaged its future to land Durant within the first place, sending Brooklyn 4 first-rounders, a decide swap, and two high-end starters in Bridges and Cam Johnson. In the event that they transfer KD now, it’ll probably be for a retool round Devin Booker — not a full-on rebuild.
That places New York in direct competitors with a number of well-positioned contenders. The Spurs, Warmth, Wolves, and Rockets all have extra flexibility, extra draft picks, or extra younger gamers to supply. The query is: how far are the Knicks keen to go?
Anunoby has been some of the impactful gamers for the Knicks since his arrival within the deal that despatched R.J. Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to the Toronto Raptors. The Suns have additionally had conversations about re-acquiring Bridges after transferring him from Phoenix to Brooklyn, although transferring Bridges for Durant would require additional wage cap gymnastics to fulfill Durant’s price ticket.
DOES A DURANT TRADE TO NY MAKE SENSE
It depends upon the associated fee — and the danger tolerance.
Durant remains to be elite, averaging almost 27 factors per sport during the last two seasons whereas taking part in 137 of a potential 164 video games. However he’s additionally 37 years previous, with a current damage historical past and a large contract that may constrain an already top-heavy Knicks roster.
If the Knicks discover a method to land him with out parting with Brunson or Cities — and with out fully gutting their depth — Durant may very well be the ultimate piece in a respectable title push. But when the associated fee is simply too steep? They threat changing into the following top-heavy crew that falls brief within the playoffs with no outs.
In different phrases, the following Phoenix Suns.
Durant ranks eighth on the NBA’s all-time scoring record and owns 4 scoring titles — trailing solely Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain. However at this stage of his profession, it’s not about how a lot he can rating. It’s about how far the Knicks are keen to go to seek out out — and whether or not breaking apart a championship-caliber core for a Prime-75 legend is a raffle value the associated fee.
