After losing in the Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Knicks are linked with Kevin Durant.
The New York Knicks have linked to several premier trade candidates to bolster their roster after a shortage in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Both Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo are tied to New York, and Karl Anthony’s town and his $53.1 million salary matched in both stars’ trade.
Earlier in the season, the Knicks are said to have made an offer to Durant, but the Phoenix Suns refused, hoping that the trio of Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beale would straighten the ship.
The Knicks are still interested in adding Durant, but not everyone thinks it is a good idea.
In the postseason (and his entire career), the town was one of the NBA’s best-scoring big names and an elite rebounder, but the town’s defense was long absent.
To add rim protection, the Knicks started Mitchell Robinson with the town. When you trade town, Robinson certainly takes over as a full-time starting center.
Swapping Durant for town is of little use to improve the Knicks, and New York may have to attach another property to their All-NBA center to seduce Phoenix.
“Anyone who thinks it’s a good idea to trade Karl Anthony’s town for Kevin Durant will sleep,” declared Chris Mannicks. “I love Kevin Durant, he’s 37 and wants a new deal.”
The lineup of Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Durant and Robinson may help to strengthen the Knicks’ position depth once Josh Hart comes out of the bench, but their starting lineup has almost the same flaws.
Unlike town, Durant was a versatile defender in the past, but after a few injuries and 18 years of league, he began to slow down on the defensive side.
“And in the days when Kevin Durant was a great two-way player, he’s still a great offensive player, but he’s not a great two-way player anymore,” Mannix continued.
“Karl Anthony Towns is a very flawed player, but he is an incredibly offensive player, and you saw his ability to take over the game in the playoffs.
“The roster isn’t a problem. You’re in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. You beat the healthy Boston Celtics. You were right there. If you didn’t suffocate Game 1, you might be here in Oklahoma City.”
New York fired head coach Tom Thibodeau, but the roster is built to compete. The Knicks were expected to take a step back along with the Boston, Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers, defeating the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics in the playoffs, allowing New York to benefit from the entire offseason together.
Keep in mind that the Knicks added town a few days before the season. New York is in a solid position to reach the top of next season’s Eastern Conference throughout the offseason to build and practice chemistry.
Only the Pacers can get in their way, and Indiana could lose Miles Turner at his free agency.
However, by firing Thibodeau, the Knicks showed they were open to making dramatic moves.
You’d think New York will be patient 26 years after the final final, but I’d suggest any moves they’ve already made and the deals they’re rumoured to be interested in otherwise.