Carmelo Anthony Comments on Recruiting Kevin Durant to Join Knicks

Carmelo Anthony is doing his part to help the New York Knicks land Kevin Durant this summer.

"I'm with KD now; he's right downstairs," said Anthony on Monday, per ESPN.com's Marc Stein. "We've been together. We've been talking. I do consider myself part of the Knicks, so that meeting has already taken place." 

The Knicks are likely a long shot at best to sign the seven-time All-Star, but that's not stopping Anthony and the team's front office from trying. New York acquired Derrick Rose in a trade with the Chicago Bulls—a move some felt strengthened the Knicks' chances of getting Durant.

USA Today's Sam Amick reported the Knicks "have earned their way onto Durant's radar" following the trade.

According to ESPN.com's Ian Begley, however, New York has yet to schedule a formal meeting with Durant. The Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder are confirmed to be getting formal sit-downs with him at this stage of the offseason. ESPN's Chris Broussard (via ESPN.com) added the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers are also on the list.

Granted, Durant speaking with Anthony works just as effectively as a larger Knicks contingent wooing the free-agent forward. Anthony is committed to the Knicks after signing a long-term extension in 2014, so he's in a position to sell Durant on the future of the franchise.

Selling both the short-term and long-term Knicks will be difficult, though. Even if New York signs Durant and a free-agent center such as Hassan Whiteside, Al Jefferson or Dwight Howard, the team will still be at best the second favorite to win the Eastern Conference behind the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Finding a way to play Anthony, Durant and Kristaps Porzingis at the same time would also be a headache for head coach Jeff Hornacek.

The Knicks may be among the early contenders to sign Durant, but as the summer wears on, they could fall out of the hunt.