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Following the confirmation of Golden State Warriors superstar Kevin Durant's ruptured Achilles, it is now being reported that the reigning back-to-back Finals MVP is expected to miss the entirety of next season as he recovers from this career-altering injury.
In a recent piece for ESPN, NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski revealed this news, and also detailed what type of impact this might have on the 30-year-old's summer:
The Nets and Knicks have both hoped to sign Irving and Kevin Durant together into max salary slots. Durant's free agency has been complicated by a ruptured right Achilles tendon that is expected to keep him out of the entire 2019-20 season. The Knicks and Nets are both still interested in signing Durant and Irving together, league sources said.
While this is indeed one of the worst injuries any athlete can suffer, Woj notes that this has done little to scare off the New York Knicks or Brooklyn Nets, who are both still very much willing to sign Durant to a long-term deal despite the uncertainty brought about by the Achilles tear. Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving was also identified as the player both teams want to pair Durant with.
The Knicks have long been rumored as one of the frontrunners to sign Durant if he decides to leave the Warriors. New York has a ton of cap space following the midseason deal centered around Kristaps Porzingis, so they definitely have the financial flexibility to sign both Durant and Irving.
For their part, the Nets have also made some cap-clearing moves, sending Allen Crabbe to the Atlanta Hawks and all but confirming their intention to actively participate in the upcoming free-agent frenzy.
