Kevin Durant faces a significant choice about his career this offseason. Although he had the chance to leave the Phoenix Suns at the trade deadline—with the Golden State Warriors even believing a deal was in place—Durant decided to stay. However, insider Brian Windhorst now suggests there is a 98% likelihood Durant will move on from Phoenix this offseason.
Among the teams rumored to be interested in acquiring Durant is the New York Knicks, a franchise he previously declined to join. Even before his Achilles injury in 2019, Durant was already considering leaving the Warriors. Despite concerns over his injury, many teams pursued him, with the Knicks notably eager to sign him and build around a major star. Instead, Durant joined the Brooklyn Nets, forming a “Big Three” with James Harden and Kyrie Irving, though injuries prevented them from reaching their full potential.
Durant was initially hesitant about the Knicks, stating in Sports Illustrated that while the Knicks’ brand was appealing, the team itself was not competitive or exciting to watch. However, much has changed since then. The Knicks have reached the playoffs in four of the past five seasons and made it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years this season. Despite firing coach Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks are focused on continuous improvement and see Durant as a potential key addition.
In 2024, Durant acknowledged to the New York Post that though the Knicks “weren’t cool,” they have since become a “pop” brand, showing his awareness of the team’s progress and signaling he might believe the Knicks now match their rising profile. With the Knicks’ upward momentum over the past year, Durant could seriously consider them as he prepares for what may be his final team change.
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Fan Take: This development is huge for basketball fans because Kevin Durant joining the Knicks could dramatically shift the balance of power in the NBA, especially in the Eastern Conference. It represents not only a major move for a superstar but also a potential new era for one of the league’s most storied franchises, revitalizing fan excitement and competition across the league.
