Count famous chef and Food Network host Guy Fieri will go to desperate lengths to keep Kevin Durant — long rumored to sign with the New York Knicks — from leaving the Golden State Warriors.
The Kevin Durant-New York Knicks speculation started a lifetime ago, seemingly. Even on the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors, who have a path to their third consecutive title, the rumors have not simmered.
The offseason is fewer than two months away, so the conversation won’t end. Once the playoffs wrap up, the situation may only escalate for not just Durant, but other big-name free agents.
For the chances of Durant staying in Golden State, count one celebrity who wants to keep the former NBA MVP in the Bay Area. Famous chef Guy Fieri told GQ, he wants to make an “inspiration dinner” for Durant to bring everyone together and keep him around.
"Call me, KD. Tell me what you need. [laughs] If there is a such thing as an inspiration dinner that I need to cook to bring all the dignitaries together—all the players, his team, his mom, you name it—well, consider that meal cooked. I think anybody in the Bay Area would give whatever they can give to keep him. And he’s such a nice guy. It’s more than just a player—it’s the character, the energy, the person he is. He’s phenomenal."
It’s ambitious from Fieri, known for his work on the Food Network’s Guy’s Grocery Games and Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, but the reports of the past year have almost all geared towards Durant playing in New York in 2019-20.
Maybe the situation changes. Probably not from an “inspiration dinner” to keep Durant around, but the unit already in place in Golden State. He won’t find Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson or Draymond Green on the Knicks, but may find a Kyrie Irving or Kemba Walker, pending either change addresses.
There are also business opportunities for Durant that Fieri and Northern California, including a potential television show on MSG Networks, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. Per ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Durant’s company will also move to New York City.
That can’t stop Durant from keeping a residence on the West Coast, but not for playing basketball games. Everything has pointed towards the Knicks, and unless something changes over the next few months, the tea leaves have blue and orange written all over them.