Knicks’ Secret Pursuit of Kevin Durant Revealed: Is a Shocking Trade Revival on the Horizon?

When the New York Knicks decided to part ways with Tom Thibodeau, it was clear that change was imminent—not just on the sidelines, but right down to the very bones of the roster. Now, the buzz swirling around is nothing short of electrifying: could Kevin Durant be traded to the Big Apple? I’ve been watching teams maneuver for years, and the Knicks’ interest in Durant—reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania—was more than just idle chatter last season. The Phoenix Suns, with fresh management under Brian Gregory and new head coach Jordan Ott, are poised for a roster shakeup that almost certainly involves moving Durant’s hefty $54.7 million contract. Add to the mix tantalizing names like Karl-Anthony Towns and Giannis Antetokounmpo—both carrying massive salary tags but offering star power the Knicks crave—and what you have is a fascinating chess match in the making. But here’s the kicker: the Knicks’ need for depth complicates any blockbuster deal, especially when matching Durant’s impact would mean parting with prime assets. It’s a gritty balancing act, one that could redefine the Eastern Conference landscape if it goes down. For anyone who thrives on the intrigue of NBA offseason drama, this is a saga to watch closely. LEARN MORE

While the New York Knicks pursue a replacement for fired head coach Tom Thibodeau, the other main objective for team management will be to address the roster.The Suns will almost certainly have to shed Durant’s .7 million salary for next season to facilitate a roster makeover for new general manager Brian Gregory and head coach Jordan Ott.

Charania went on to say the Knicks need to add more depth, which would appear to be difficult if they were to trade for Durant. Whatever depth the roster has will likely have to be used to get a trade done, as they moved five first-round draft picks to acquire Mikal Bridges. The Suns struggled with that same issue after acquiring Durant and Bradley Beal.

“There was some mutual interest between the Knicks and Kevin Durant at the trade deadline,” Charania said on Thursday’s “NBA Today.” “The Knicks made an offer for Kevin Durant at the NBA trade deadline. Obviously, there was no Kevin Durant trade.”Advertisement

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