The New York Knicks have sparked some interest in re-signing center DeAndre Jordan after acquiring him via trade at the deadline. The Brooklyn Nets have also recently expressed the will to sign Jordan if it allows for them to get Kevin Durant in free agency, according to Marc Stein of The New York Times.
The Knicks could adapt that same line of thinking if it means Durant will choose them over the cross-borough Nets instead.
That same concept could potentially be extended to other friends of Durant, like Golden State Warriors point guard Quinn Cook, who has been a longtime friend and confidant during his last two years with the team.
Both the Knicks and Nets are trying to create an atmosphere of comfort for Durant, especially considering he might spend the entire first season rehabilitating from his torn Achilles injury suffered in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Durant will need that support system day in and day out, as well as people he'd feel at ease with after signing with a new team.
The four-time scoring champion immersed himself in a new experience for the first time in his career upon joining the Warriors in 2016. Now with two championships under his belt, he will no longer need to go into foreign waters, something that could help the Knicks and Nets in a fierce offseason battle.
The Knicks were the primary favorite to garner Durant's services throughout the season, but it seems like the Nets have gained ample ground in recent weeks, able to make a compelling case with two max slots available as well as a playoff appearance that makes them closer to a finished product than the Knicks.
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