People around Kevin Durant were already setting the smokescreens ahead of his awaited offseason decision, telling confidants that the two-time Finals MVP would bolt for the New York Knicks if he did leave the Golden State Warriors at the end of the season.

Per Marc Berman of the New York Post:

Executives and agents felt for months that if Durant decided to leave Golden State, he was going to come to the Knicks. Several of Durant's current and former teammates believed it was going to happen. During the season, people around Durant were telling confidants that he was likely headed to the Knicks if he chose to leave Golden State. And it's safe to assume that Durant wasn't planning to come alone. The Knicks, of course, had enough cap space to land two stars.

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The Knicks were the favorite to haul him in even before they opened up a second max slot by trading Kristaps Porzingis, a move that had them as clear frontrunners to land him and a partner of his choice.

Soon the chatter became about Durant joining forces with Kyrie Irving in their quest to play together with the Knicks, but all those thoughts soon soured as soon as the Brooklyn Nets made the playoffs and eventually became an outside suitor for his services.

The Nets creeped in steadily and soon became the overwhelming favorite to get Durant in free agency, crushing the hopes of many who had listened to those swirling rumors put out by Durant's camp earlier in the season.