The New York Knicks traded their young stud center Kristaps Porzingis. It now seems like they’ll go all in for Warriors’ forward Kevin Durant.
In a blockbuster turn of events, the New York Knicks traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks. They returned Dennis Smith Jr., Wesley Matthews and DeAndre Jordan. They wanted expiring contract for one reason: Kevin Durant.
Durant is one of the top five players in the NBA. He’s grown into an all-around superstar that can likely will his team to the NBA Finals regardless of his conference. It seems likely the New York Knicks believe in Durant.
However, they must also believe they can lure him away from Golden State, a franchise he’s won two straight NBA Championships with. With likely a third on the way, a max contract may not be enough to reel in Durant.
What could be enough is the promise of another star. Could the Knicks also find a way to guarantee that Kyrie Irving or Jimmy Butler will join their club as well? Then the promise of signing Kevin Durant becomes reality.
The recent trade for New York freed up two max contracts that could be signed this summer. From almost having one to now two, the Knicks put all their chips in, including arguably their best player this decade who has yet to turn 24, to sign two stars this offseason.
The three players the Knicks acquired have over $40 million in expiring money. Including Enes Kanter who is in the last year of his contract, the flashy New York team will have the Big Apple and two max slots to find a way to steal an opponent’s superstar.
The only team with under 11 wins, the Knicks will have a good chance to land the generational talent known as Zion Williamson. Williamson is the clear No. 1 option in the 2019 NBA Draft, and it’ll be of utmost importance to secure him prior to the free agency period beginning.
With Zion, Smith Jr., Knox and potentially two superstars, the Knicks could boast one of the best lineups in the NBA. However, it’d be a difficult pull to snag all those assets this offseason, especially if the Warriors win their third straight NBA Championship.
Durant is averaging a career-high in assists while still maintaining over 27 points per game. He’s a true superstar, and until he says otherwise, he’ll likely be staying in the Bay for the 2019-2020 season.