All eyes will be on the New York Knicks this summer, just like the last two offseasons. After engaging in trade talks with Utah for Donovan Mitchell in 2022, New York didn't make a big swing in 2023. Instead, the Knicks made a series of trades during the 2023-24 season that sent RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and Quentin Grimes to new teams.
With the Knicks finishing as the No. 2 seed in the East, maybe the front office feels more pressure to act. Or, at least, that's the narrative. The Knicks are in a great position and haven't cashed in their assets for a star. New York doesn't need to be desperate.
Will the Knicks cash in their assets for a big-name star this summer?
Even though the offseason hasn't officially started, the trade speculation has. With Minnesota sweeping Phoenix in the first round of the playoffs, the future of the Suns' "Big Three" could be up in the air.
Kevin Durant is a two-time champion, but after a failed stop in Brooklyn and failing to make the Western Conference Finals in two seasons with the Suns, maybe he could be on the move. If Phoenix does decide to dismantle its current roster (and that doesn't seem to be the direction Mat Ishbia wants to go in), Fanspo has an idea of what one trade might look like.
In this three-team mock proposal, the Knicks would get KD but lose Julius Randle, Bojan Bogdanovic, and draft picks.
Laying out the Fanspo Knicks-Suns-Magic trade
This one is a lot to take in, so prepare yourself.
Essentially, New York would trade Randle, Bogdanovic, two 2024 first-round picks, a 2025 first-round pick, and a 2028 second-round pick for Durant. Phoenix would give up the most draft assets (five first-round picks) for Devin Booker. The Suns could flip Randle and Bogdanovic for additional assets.
The Knicks would still have assets left over after the trade to make additional moves, but that doesn't change the fact that New York shouldn't acquire Durant. He missed his opportunity to be a Knick five years ago.
KD has dealt with injuries over the past several seasons, but he played in 75 regular-season games in 2023-24, the most since he played 78 with the Warriors in 2018-19. Every star trade comes with risks, but the Knicks would be in trouble if they traded for an almost 36-year-old star only for him to get injured. Durant doesn't have the luxury of time.
If New York is interested in KD for whatever reason, is this a deal Leon Rose and Co. would approve?
Would the Knicks say yes?
It's impossible to know what the Knicks' front office thinks, but it's a safe bet to assume that Rose would choose to run it back with Randle rather than lose him for Durant. Randle is not only a more durable player (although he is out with a dislocated shoulder), but he's 29 years old.
It's worth noting that Durant doesn't have the best track record. Would he be happy going to New York, where he wouldn't have much control? The Knicks leave their egos at the door. Maybe KD could do the same, but the move could quickly become a disaster.
If Durant were a few years younger, this is a trade New York would have to seriously consider. However, in the end, Phoenix and Orlando must also give it the green light. It'd give the Suns a chance to recoup the assets they've lost, but it would also put them further away from a championship than they are now. Even though Phoenix's current roster isn't that impressive, the Suns have no choice but to be in win-now mode.
Chances are that KD would never admit he wanted to play for the Knicks (if he does). Five years ago, he chose the wrong New York team, but in retrospect, it was a blessing in disguise. He isn't the star the front office should cash in on.
Grade: D-