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Knicks Rumors: 5 Reasons Kevin Durant Could Choose New York

By Maxwell Ogden

May 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates after a basket against the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter in game one of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Golden State Warriors 108-102. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates after a basket against the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter in game one of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Golden State Warriors 108-102. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 1, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Film director Spike Lee talks with New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden. The Trail Blazers defeated the Knicks 104-85. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Film director Spike Lee talks with New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden. The Trail Blazers defeated the Knicks 104-85. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Major Market Appeal

The Oklahoma City Thunder have one of the greatest fan bases in all of professional sports. The noise level at Chesapeake Energy Arena, as well as the relentless support of the fans, make Oklahoma City a difficult city to walk away from.

The narrative is appealing, but the reality is: no prime-year player cares about playing in a major market until a realistic opportunity to do so presents itself.

Kevin Durant is signed to Roc Nation Sports, which is based in New York City. In other words, Durant is very aware of his brand, and understands how powerful a move to a major market could be.

There’s no guaranteeing that he actually wants to move to a major market, but if he does, he already has a strong foundation in New York.

Durant would become the face of the organization while forming a Big Three with two of the most popular players in the world: Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis. That’d do wonders for his marketability, which is already incredible as is.

More important than the money, however, is the opportunity to play 41 games at Madison Square Garden and potentially deliver New York’s first championship since 1973—the ultimate legacy-defining achievement.

Next: New York, Part II

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