As a historic free agency for the New York Knicks looms, Kevin Durant has stood at the center of it.
A 17-65 season for the New York Knicks was overshadowed by the future, and not just a high draft pick. Kevin Durant, arguably one of the NBA’s greatest players ever, was linked to signing with them before the 2018-19 could get underway.
The noise never stopped, even after two straight championships and another good regular-season run with the Golden State Warriors.
In fewer than two months, Durant will hit free agency and become one of many star-studded subjects of this class. His decision will not only impact the Knicks and Warriors, but other teams around the NBA.
So where do all the rumors stand as of May 6? Let’s take a look:
- Enes Kanter once “recruited” Durant in September. Of course, Kanter is no longer with the Knicks and will probably have teams recruiting him after helping the Portland Trail Blazers in the postseason.
- Yahoo’s Chris Haynes provided one of the first “Kevin Durant to the Knicks” reports on an October airing of Undisputed. He said New York “has a very good shot” at Durant.
"New York Knicks have a very good shot at luring KD away from the Bay Area. ... The same allure that LeBron had towards the Los Angeles Lakers, just the building, the culture, is the same way I know that KD feels about the Knicks." — @ChrisBHaynes pic.twitter.com/04xDGmLA2k
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) October 3, 2018
- Derek Fisher gave somewhat of a prediction when he said Durant will sign with the Knicks on Undisputed.
- In December, The Athletic’s Frank Isola reported the Knicks were “all in” on targeting Durant.
- ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski called the Durant landing in New York a “real possibility.”
- After the shocking January trade, ESPN’s Zach Lowe said Kristaps Porzingis was not thrilled at the prospect of playing with Durant. Porzingis went to the Dallas Mavericks in a seven-player transaction.
- Bleacher Report’s Ric Bucher said Durant to the Knicks is a “done deal.”
- A second report from Isola said Durant and Kyrie Irving, the other player most linked to the Knicks, were debating who would sign first.
- Finally, there was Ian Begley, formerly of ESPN, who said even some of Durant’s Golden State Warriors teammates believe he will leave.
This rumor mill has the legs to continue through the postseason and the draft process. When a decision from Durant eventually arrives, it will have a franchise-changing impact on the Knicks.