In spite of recent rumors that have suggested otherwise, the New York Knicks still think they can land Kevin Durant and believe they are a “major factor” in the race to sign him this summer, according to Marc Stein of The New York Times.
Stein also notes the recent report that the Los Angeles Clippers are lobbying to bring in both Durant and Kawhi Leonard in free agency this summer, a possibility that was mentioned throughout the year.
Free agency begins on Sunday evening.
The Knicks have had a longstanding dream of landing both Durant and Kyrie Irving this summer, but with Irving seeming to be dead set on joining the Brooklyn Nets, that dream seems dead.
There has also been talk that Durant is strongly considering teaming up with Irving on the Nets.
Of course, this is all assuming he passes up on the five-year, $221 million max contract offer that the Golden State Warriors are expected to present him with at the start of free agency.
No matter where Durant signs, he will not be available next season, as he will be sidelined while recovering from the torn Achilles that he suffered in Game 5 of the NBA Finals earlier this month.
The 30-year-old originally suffered a calf strain during Game 5 of the Warriors' second-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets and proceeded to miss Game 6 of that series and all four games of Golden State's sweep of the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference Finals.
He then missed the first four games of the finals against the Toronto Raptors before returning in Game 5, where he suffered the injury.
Follow Us
Subscribe