ESPN's Jalen Rose picked Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant to bolt for the New York Knicks in the preseason and he's not changing his pick with only days left before he's bound to make his decision.
“At the beginning of the [2018-19] season I felt like he was leaving for New York City. I still believe that to be the case,” said Rose. “His injury obviously creates a different type of hiccup in this scenario because of the Golden State Warriors' ability to offer him five years and [an extra] $50 million and then grant him the opportunity to trade him where he wants to go. The problem is, I don't know if I give them that level of autonomy. I still believe that he leaves.”
"I still believe that he leaves."@JalenRose still sees KD leaving the Warriors for New York pic.twitter.com/w7v67x4E5q
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) June 24, 2019
Rose believes Durant wants this change of destination to build his own destiny at a different stage, though he would likely have to wait another season to bring that to a reality.
“I still feel like if you're going to leave the Warriors, it's not just about the rings, 'cause he got two there. It's not just about the money, 'cause he could get more there,” added Rose. “It's the stage. And if you're going to New York City, that's at MSG.”
Durant is expected to miss all of the 2019-20 season with a torn Achilles injury, and while it's possible the Warriors could execute the delayed sign-and-trade to give Durant that mega deal for his troubles, it's one maneuver that will likely infuriate the league, as the collective bargaining agreement was laid to avoid the type of situations in which a star player gets majorly compensated to get his way.
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