Knicks' Reason for Dismissing Kevin Durant Trade Reportedly Revealed amid NBA Rumors

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant reportedly wanted to be traded to the New York Knicks this summer, but the feeling wasn't mutual, per Marc J. Spears of Andscape.

Now ESPN's Stephen A. Smith is offering reason as to why during Tuesday's edition of First Take (4:50 mark).

In essence, Smith said the Knicks are not involving themselves in trade talks for Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant because team governor James Dolan is still "salty" about KD (and Kyrie Irving) turning down the Knicks for the Brooklyn Nets in free agency during the summer of 2019. He also noted Durant's comments a year ago when he said "the Knicks weren't cool" and how that may still earn the ire of Knicks' brass.

It's clear Durant reportedly wanted to head to New York, per Spears.

"KD wanted the New York Knicks," Spears said. "He wanted to go there. The Knicks have no interest in bringing him in, which probably makes Knicks nation, I don’t know, probably quite interested in why not."

Smith then provided a potential answer.

So at this juncture, Durant has the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets and Miami Heat on his list, per Sam Amick and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. However, none of those teams have "come forward with offers for Durant compelling enough to get the Suns to bite, per The Athletic.

The KD trade rumors and talk will continue, then, but we know for sure it won't involve the Knicks, who just reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years but are looking for the first NBA title since 1973.