The New York Knicks are always one of the organizations that are in the mix for some of the biggest free agents in the NBA. They schedule meetings and are in all the circulating rumors, but the Knicks usually fail to land a top-tier star in the NBA. Years before their surprising run in the 2021 NBA playoffs, Kevin Durant was one of the superstars that were expected to land in New York City to play at the Madison Square Garden, but he decided to suit up for their cross-town rivals Brooklyn Nets.
Knicks-Kevin Durant trade?
The shocking decision for Durant to pair up with Kyrie Irving with the Nets could arguably be the wrong one as they have only won one playoff series over the past three seasons. After Durant's third season in Brooklyn, he has expressed his displeasure with the organization and has demanded a trade with the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat reportedly as his preferred destinations. As he signed a massive 4-year extension last year, Brooklyn has the leverage to trade him to the organization wherein they will receive the best package.
Even with the decision to trade him anywhere, NBA superstars are usually able to command their preferred city or teams like Paul George or Anthony Davis. If Kevin Durant decides to still live in New York for the next few years, the Knicks could offer up a package centered around the young stud from Duke R.J. Barrett. Furthermore, New York will need to add Evan Fournier or Julius Randle along with more guys with immense upside like Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley and a ton of draft capital.
In the next three years, the Knicks possibly could have six first-round picks, so that is a key ingredient that the Nets would dread because they have traded all their picks to the Houston Rockets in the James Harden deal. The Knicks will have the incoming Jalen Brunson and either Fournier or Randle to make up the nucleus of the squad for the next several years. Additionally, there will be other ancillary pieces like Mitchell Robinson, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Derrick Rose who will all be instrumental in the hopes for the Knicks fans to be a legitimate contender once again.
The perfect trade that New York must offer will give them the chance to acquire the biggest star to come to the Big Apple since Carmelo Anthony. The top four teams in the East may still be similar to last season, but the Knicks could squeak through the top six of the conference with Kevin Durant on their roster. Getting Durant on the lineup will also bolster their chances of acquiring veteran players for a limited salary because the Knicks need solid role players from the shallow free agent pool.
It is not only on the court where the New York Knicks will benefit incredibly from the Kevin Durant acquisition because the marketability and culture of a big market team will be a fantastic move for the franchise. Durant could elevate his status in jersey sales and endorsement deals, similar to how LeBron James received a slew of perks by moving from Cleveland to Los Angeles.
For the Nets side of things, they will have a proven NBA star-caliber player in R.J. Barrett in return, but it is the opportunity of utilizing the duo of Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin that could be enticing as well. Demanding the unprotected first-round picks of the Washington Wizards and Detroit Pistons next year along with two or three future assets from the Knicks is an addition that must be necessary to seal the deal as well.
The Knicks fanatics have been eager to feel consistent success for many years and adding Durant to lead the charge will be the answer they have been desiring.
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