Kevin Durant Rumors: Knicks Reportedly Plan to Pursue Star in Free Agency
The New York Knicks are setting their sights high this offseason, with Kevin Durant firmly on their radar.
After the Knicks acquired former NBA MVP Derrick Rose from the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, Knicks President Phil Jackson reportedly told Rose he intends to pursue Durant when free agency begins July 1, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
The Knicks are frequently discussed as a potential destination for top free agents because they need marquee players, and the New York market is used as a tool in their negotiations.
However, the biggest free agent the Knicks have signed in the last five years was Carmelo Anthony when they re-signed him two years ago.
Isola did present a potential selling point Jackson could offer Durant about the team's potential on the court, rather than outside factors like the media market or playing in Madison Square Garden:
"The difference now, however, is that the Knicks are not only selling Durant on Madison Square Garden and Madison Avenue, but also a roster that features a triangle we can all understand; Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis and Rose, who turns 28 in October.
It's a long-shot, of course. Staying in Oklahoma City or even signing with the Warriors or Spurs is a better basketball option for Durant.
"
Taking a pessimistic viewpoint, though, that Knicks triangle of Rose, Anthony and Porzingis isn't an appealing group. Porzingis has huge upside, but he's just 20 years old and may need at least one more year to reach it. Anthony's and Rose's stocks have never been lower after disappointing 2015-16 seasons.
Durant will have more appealing options in free agency, starting with returning to Oklahoma City. ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported Wednesday the Golden State Warriors intend to make him their top target this summer, in addition to the San Antonio Spurs' push for the former MVP.
Credit Jackson for aiming as high as he can to make the Knicks relevant again after three straight years of missing the playoffs.
It's a strategy Jackson needs to take with two years left on his deal in New York, but the competition for Durant will be so intense that it's going to take a legendary sales pitch to make it happen.
