Are the New York Knicks among the teams pursuing a Kevin Durant trade before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline? A wild new rumor has emerged about the unexpected idea.
A few weeks ago, it seemed like this would be a very quiet and uninteresting trade deadline. However, in just a matter of a few days, the NBA hot stove is red hot. It all started over the weekend when the Dallas Mavericks shocked the league and traded top star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
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That was followed by a blockbuster three-team trade that saw De’Aaron Fox moved to the San Antonio Spurs and the Sacramento Kings landed Zach LaVine to fill his spot. Then on Wednesday, the Milwaukee Bucks pulled the trigger on a deal that brings them Washington Wizards star Kyle Kuzma.
At this point, anything seems possible, especially after rumors emerged earlier this week that the Phoenix Suns are shopping Kevin Durant. The Golden State Warriors seem to be the team favored to actually complete a deal for the 14-time All-Star. However, that doesn’t mean many clubs around the NBA aren’t checking in on the potential cost of a trade.
And on Tuesday, grassroots NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson claimed the New York Knicks are among those that have shown interest in a trade for Kevin Durant. If it was something the team seriously pursued, what would a deal cost NY?
- Kevin Durant stats (2024-25): 26.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.3 BPG, 40% 3PT
What would a Kevin Durant trade cost the New York Knicks?
Chances are the Knicks are just kicking the tires on a potential deal. Just to see if the Suns may just be desperate to move his contract for a lower-than-expected price. But if the front office really felt he was the missing piece to a championship team this spring, they might be bold enough to give up some big pieces to make a deal happen.
The Knicks would likely ship out OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, and Miles McBride, along with several draft picks to make a trade possible. Or a radical route could be to package Karl-Anthony Towns with a boatload of draft picks. Despite having an All-Star season in New York this year.
- Kevin Durant contract: Four years, $194 million
Due to various tax aprons limitations, a trade would be extremely difficult to make. Furthermore, a case could be made that this current Knicks team doesn’t need Durant. Instead they would be better off making smaller moves to strengthen their depth for the second half.
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