Zach Lowe: Kevin Durant Will Join Knicks; Klay Thompson Won't Take Discount

ESPN.com's Zach Lowe released his annual column of "random, crazy and not-so-crazy predictions" for the upcoming NBA season and beyond, and among the items listed were a few interesting tidbits about the Golden State Warriors.

On Klay Thompson, who is eligible for free agency after this season, Lowe wrote: "Thompson has no plans to take a discount, and the Warriors don't expect him to, league sources say."

Lowe also predicted Kevin Durant would sign with the New York Knicks after this season. He wrote:

"He must know the Warriors will always be Curry's team. The social media slights will never stop as long as Durant is there. People who know Durant say part of him must crave the challenge of being the undisputed alpha dog and lead ball handler—of putting up a 32-10-8 stat line. Some of those same people wonder if he is a little scared of that challenge."

Durant's future remains murky. As Lowe noted, the Warriors find the star "unknowable" and feared he might leave this summer before the team rebounded against the Houston Rockets and went on to win an NBA title. 

Lowe also suggested Thompson and Durant's fates could be intertwined. Were Thompson to sign elsewhere, Golden State would find it vital to keep Durant, and "if Durant feels newly essential, he might be more inclined to stick around."

Ditto if the Warriors fail to win a third title in a row. If they can't do so, Durant may feel he's still needed in Golden State. Win another title, however, and Durant could be inclined to strike out on his own, knowing he accomplished his goals with the Warriors.

Lowe is speculating, obviously, ahead of a season that will be full of speculation regarding Durant's future. And it doesn't seem coincidental that the Knicks are continually connected to Durant.

They're a legacy franchise in the country's biggest media market and play in an arena, Madison Square Garden, that's basketball's crown jewel. They've struggled for years, leaving open the "savior" storyline for Durant if he leads them to a title. And with Kristaps Porzingis in place, Durant would have another superstar to join and could recruit a third star to form a Big Three.

Plus, the Eastern Conference isn't as competitive as the West. And imagine how thrilled the NBA would be if the Knicks, Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers were all relevant at the same time, updating long-time rivalries and breathing life into important markets? 

The scenario is easy to envision. Durant may have business ties in Silicon Valley, but moving to New York City isn't a downgrade in the networking world. If he wins another title in Golden State, his legacy would be secure. But if he leads the downtrodden Knicks to a title?

Well, that would be legendary. 

Nonetheless, if Durant is happy in Golden State and is only interested in winning titles, staying in San Francisco is the play. Even if Thompson were to leave, the combination of Curry, Durant and Draymond Green would still make the Warriors contenders. And the possibility of creating one of the most dominant stretches and legendary dynasties in NBA history may be tough to pass on. 

Suffice to say, Durant has fascinating options on his plate.