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The New York Knicks are reportedly not expected to pursue a second tier free agent this summer if they don't land Kevin Durant, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
The Knicks have cap space to sign two max contract players this offseason. The franchise was hoping to use that money on Durant and Kyrie Irving.
However, all signs point toward Irving signing with the Brooklyn Nets. The Knicks could still sign Durant, who is expected to miss the entire 2019-20 season after tearing his right Achilles tendon in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
If New York doesn't get Durant, though, Windhorst doesn't expect the Knicks to go after the likes of Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris or Khris Middleton.
“They're not going to want a second tier free agent,” Windhorst said on ESPN's Get Up. “I don't expect them to chase a Tobias Harris or Khris Middleton type of player, or Jimmy Butler. I think they're going to try to get Durant and if they can't get Durant, they're going to move on with RJ Barrett as the centerpiece of their team moving forward.”
As Windhorst notes, the Knicks are expected to draft Duke small forward RJ Barrett with the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. New York would have a young core of Barrett, Dennis Smith Jr., Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson.
Knicks fans are still holding out hope that Durant decides to come to The Big Apple. We'll see if it actually happens once free agency starts on June 30.
