Knicks Rumors: Can Phil Jackson Land Kevin Durant?

Feb 17, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Western Conference forward Kevin Durant (35) of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts with Eastern Conference forward Carmelo Anthony (7) of the New York Knicks and guard

(3) of the Miami Heat in the second quarter of the 2013 NBA all star game at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

2. Keep Carmelo Anthony Happy

As acknowledged by Frank Isola of The New York Daily News, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony are close friends. From a basketball sense, they’ve spent time together on All-Star Weekend and at the 2010 Olympics.

If Anthony and Durant’s friendship is to be used as a bargaining chip, the Knicks must keep Anthony’s morale high.

The common misconception here is that the Knicks will be forced to cater to Anthony’s every need and desire. That’s far from the case, especially for a 30-year-old scorer who’s searching for a ring.

The key to keeping Anthony happy is progressively building a championship contender.

Should the Knicks succeed in keeping ‘Melo in good spirits, he’ll be a valuable asset in luring Durant to New York City. Anthony could easily shift to the pinch post in the Triangle Offense, while KD steps in at the 3.

Jackson knows better than to cater to one player. Nevertheless, if he can prove to Anthony that he’s building something of note, the confidence of the star will go a long way towards luring another to Manhattan.

Next: What Phil Jackson's Been Building For