Knicks Rumors: Latest on Potential Kevin Durant Meeting, Kent Bazemore and More

Derrick Rose, Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis and a possible unknown fourth player will round out what the New York Knicks hope will be a playoff-caliber lineup next season.

With free agency opening Friday, team president Phil Jackson and the front office continue to elbow for space in the mindshare of the market's biggest names, starting with Kevin Durant and winding on down.

It's an exciting time for the organization and its fans, no doubt, after the Rose trade set into motion what could be the reawakening of a dormant franchise after years of suffering.

With the clock ticking, the rumors market has plenty to say about the future of the Knicks, from current players to Durant and beyond. Let's take a look.

Derrick Rose's Form

Skeptics had every right to raise an eyebrow at the Knicks' trade for Rose, an agreement with a Chicago Bulls franchise more than happy to let go of an oft-injured point guard so Jimmy Butler could carry the team on his own.

Over the past four seasons he's played (he sat out 2012-13), Rose has appeared in 39, 10, 51 and 66 games, respectively. When on the court, he's still looked good—like last year, when he averaged 16.4 points and 4.7 assists.

The problem beyond staying on the court is how he fits in, as Rose's assists dropped from an average of 7.9 in 2011-12 to 4.3 in 2013-14 and have yet to rise above five again. A Rose unwilling to share the ball as often as in the past could be an interesting mix with Anthony.

Alas, the reviews around Rose so far have been nothing short of positive. Take this rumbling ESPN.com's Tim MacMahon provided: "A source not affiliated with Derrick Rose or the Knicks came away impressed with how lean and explosive the former All-Star point guard looked after seeing Rose work out recently in Los Angeles."

Maybe folks should have taken a quote K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune provided a few days back more seriously:

That's the sort of press the Knicks need while trying to strike it big in free agency. 

Maybe there's something to that—the need for the press and the timing and the positive reviews of Rose's arrival. Regardless, it's hard not to get caught up in the infectious positivity after the team has been down for so long.

Kevin Durant Update

Now for a bit of a negative update. 

The Knicks didn't make the initial cut on Durant's meeting list, which isn't hard to understand. His list not only features the Oklahoma City Thunder, but other contending teams, per ESPN.com's Chris Broussard and Marc Stein. Durant isn't likely to leave a team that was one win from the NBA Finals to join a complete rebuild.

That said, Broussard noted Durant might still choose to sit down with the Knicks:

Better than nothing, right?

Durant might just give the Knicks the time of day because of good friend Anthony, who has been hot on the recruiting trail, as Stein noted: 

The problem is the Knicks are sitting on the bench, while other teams are having meetings.

The San Antonio Spurs contend every year and seem like a perfect fit. Miami Heat president Pat Riley has an incredible reputation with his team. So does general manager Danny Ainge with the Boston Celtics—a playoff team without a star player. Those Los Angeles Clippers already have a Big Three of Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan, and they would contend with ease if Durant joined.

It sounds like the Knicks need friendship and their location to act as a hard sell for Durant. Right now, the Knicks remain on the outside looking in, though it's unlikely Jackson will stop trying.

Knicks in on Kent Bazemore?

In reality, the Knicks already have a strong core on paper, provided Porzingis continues to develop at his current pace.

This means Jackson and the front office could instead focus on rounding out the starting five instead of focusing on superstars. It seems to be the reason behind their interest in Kent Bazemore, as Marc Berman of the New York Post noted.

"The Knicks have heavy interest in 6'5" Hawks shooting guard Kent Bazemore, but they may be priced out or simply shut out, according to NBA sources," Berman wrote.

Bazemore, who turns 27 on Friday, won't set up any meetings until he sees what the Atlanta Hawks do, per the write-up. But with the Hawks drafting DeAndre' Bembry and Isaia Cordinier—two players who can play Bazemore's position—in this year's draft, the Knicks seem to have the right idea with their reported interest.

Bazemore managed 11.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game with an average of 27.8 minutes per contest last season. He'd be a strong fit as the starting shooting guard in New York and double as a cap-friendly way to let the team find a new starting center, too.

As Bazemore waits on the Hawks, though, the Knicks will wait to see if they can strike it richer. The clock's ticking.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.