mafra
Legend
(Theknicksblog.com)
A free agent next season, Kevin Durant will be highly sought after.
Could Kristaps Porzingis be the key to Durant landing in NYC?
Durant said he texted former teammate and current Knicks head coach Derek Fisher after New York drafted Porzingis.
"When they made the pick, I texted Fisher immediately and I said I liked the pick," Durant said, according to the Washington Post (Jan. 25). "A lot of people were down on him, but he can play. I've seen it, you've seen it ? he's a skilled guy."
Durant is in New York to take on the Knicks on Tuesday, one of the many teams he will likely be pursued by this offseason. With Carmelo Anthony leading the team, Porzingis stills stands out to Durant on the team.
"I think we've gotten away from enjoying the skilled players in this league. We've got so many guys that are athletic, and big and strong, but he's a skilled player. He can shoot, he can make the right plays, he can defend, he's a 7-footer that can shoot all the way out to the three-point line. That's rare. And block shots ? that's, like, a unicorn in this league. You've got to respect what he's doing.
"This being New York City, everything is under a microscope, but he's progressing at a high rate pretty fast, and he's gonna be a force."
Carmelo is doing his part in recruiting, too.
"I have to talk to him and see where he's at. I know him as a person," Anthony said of Durant (Jan. 25). "I have my conversations with people. We break bread and we talk."
Keith Schlosser, SNY.TV Twitter | Archive
As everyone looks ahead to the summer of 2016 and Durant's impending free agency, plenty of factors have been identified as potential positives when it comes to him looking at the Knicks. New York employs a current star in Anthony and a quickly budding one in Porzingis. They'll have roster flexibility next summer to make a move if so desired. Phil Jackson's reputation speaks for itself as he runs the show, and Durant's former teammate Derek Fisher currently sits as head coach. Toss in Lance Thomas, assistant coach Brian Keefe, and the list goes on.
People love speculation, but doubt, not so much. How likely is it that the Knicks are a viable option? Playing in New York may be appealing for a superstar like Durant, but making a splash under the bright lights of the Big Apple (and the fear of potential failure and subsequent scrutiny) might not be. The fact of the matter is, he has a very comfortable situation in Oklahoma City with Russell Westbrook and the third-seed Thunder, who coincidentally have the third best record in all of the NBA. He's had relative success there, and the team has a very talented and balanced roster as it is.
The Knicks are getting there, but would probably need to change things up even further (their depth will suffer) if they aim to add Durant. It may not be worth his while, not just to entertain New York as a potential destination, but to leave the Thunder at all. If a championship is what he lacks for greatness, one wouldn't be naive to bet the opportunity is still there to obtain it quicker with Westbrook and Co. in OKC.
A free agent next season, Kevin Durant will be highly sought after.
Could Kristaps Porzingis be the key to Durant landing in NYC?
Durant said he texted former teammate and current Knicks head coach Derek Fisher after New York drafted Porzingis.
"When they made the pick, I texted Fisher immediately and I said I liked the pick," Durant said, according to the Washington Post (Jan. 25). "A lot of people were down on him, but he can play. I've seen it, you've seen it ? he's a skilled guy."
Durant is in New York to take on the Knicks on Tuesday, one of the many teams he will likely be pursued by this offseason. With Carmelo Anthony leading the team, Porzingis stills stands out to Durant on the team.
"I think we've gotten away from enjoying the skilled players in this league. We've got so many guys that are athletic, and big and strong, but he's a skilled player. He can shoot, he can make the right plays, he can defend, he's a 7-footer that can shoot all the way out to the three-point line. That's rare. And block shots ? that's, like, a unicorn in this league. You've got to respect what he's doing.
"This being New York City, everything is under a microscope, but he's progressing at a high rate pretty fast, and he's gonna be a force."
Carmelo is doing his part in recruiting, too.
"I have to talk to him and see where he's at. I know him as a person," Anthony said of Durant (Jan. 25). "I have my conversations with people. We break bread and we talk."
Keith Schlosser, SNY.TV Twitter | Archive
As everyone looks ahead to the summer of 2016 and Durant's impending free agency, plenty of factors have been identified as potential positives when it comes to him looking at the Knicks. New York employs a current star in Anthony and a quickly budding one in Porzingis. They'll have roster flexibility next summer to make a move if so desired. Phil Jackson's reputation speaks for itself as he runs the show, and Durant's former teammate Derek Fisher currently sits as head coach. Toss in Lance Thomas, assistant coach Brian Keefe, and the list goes on.
People love speculation, but doubt, not so much. How likely is it that the Knicks are a viable option? Playing in New York may be appealing for a superstar like Durant, but making a splash under the bright lights of the Big Apple (and the fear of potential failure and subsequent scrutiny) might not be. The fact of the matter is, he has a very comfortable situation in Oklahoma City with Russell Westbrook and the third-seed Thunder, who coincidentally have the third best record in all of the NBA. He's had relative success there, and the team has a very talented and balanced roster as it is.
The Knicks are getting there, but would probably need to change things up even further (their depth will suffer) if they aim to add Durant. It may not be worth his while, not just to entertain New York as a potential destination, but to leave the Thunder at all. If a championship is what he lacks for greatness, one wouldn't be naive to bet the opportunity is still there to obtain it quicker with Westbrook and Co. in OKC.