Look into the New York Knicks’ future. Do you see Kevin Durant?
If you do, holla at me. I’d like to know.
It seems the Knicks may be plotting a Durant chase in 2016, according to the New York Post‘s Marc Berman:
Knicks coaching candidate Derek Fisher may not only turn out to be a better leader as a head coach one day than Steve Kerr but perhaps a better recruiter. And one guy Fisher may not have a problem recruiting is his current Oklahoma City teammate Kevin Durant.
Durant will be a free agent in 2016. Knicks president Phil Jackson already has braced for the possibility of striking out in the 2015 free-agent bonanza, especially if Kevin Love and LeBron James are off the market. Their Plan D is Durant, who thinks the world of Fisher as a potential head coach and hails from Maryland, where Carmelo Anthony was also raised after moving to Baltimore at age 9.
Definitely want to stress the word “may” here. The Knicks may be planning to chase Durant in 2016. Berman isn’t totally clear there. Can’t tell if it’s his opinion, something he’s heard from a source or some combination of both.
But now that that’s out of the way, you know what this means, right? You do, don’t you?
Let the LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Durant 2016 dream-team rumors commence.
That I’m only half-kidding is disturbing.
Everybody is going to want a piece of Durant in 2016, when he’s slated to hit free agency. And I mean everyone. Some don’t think he’ll ever leave Oklahoma City, which may definitely prove accurate. If he’s still ringless by then, though, abandoning the Thunder and signing somewhere else could give him his best shot at winning a title.
As of now, the Knicks have no guaranteed contracts on the books for summer 2016. The only deal they have counting against their ledger is Tim Hardaway Jr.’s player option. That’s how far away Durant’s free agency is—the Knicks haven’t had enough time to compromise their salary situation that far in advance.
Of course, it’s not going to stay that way. They’ll most definitely make moves between now and then. Phil Jackson is hoping Anthony will re-sign with the team this summer, for starters. Iman Shumpert, if they don’t trade him first, will be due for a new contract in restricted agency next year. And beyond that, there’s no telling who else they’ll pay. LeBron himself could be in New York.
Wishful thinking, obviously, but it is possible. The sense I’m getting is LeBron will opt into the next year of his deal and explore free agency next summer or even the one after. If he hits the open market in 2015, the Knicks will be an option. Again, a long shot. But not impossible.
Other stars will be available then as well. Plenty of them. If the Knicks land Kevin Love, Rajon Rondo, LaMarcus Aldridge, Tony Parker, Marc Gasol or someone else, that’s going to cost money. A lot of money. Combine that salary with Anthony’s, and you most likely can’t afford another star like Durant in 2016. Not unless everyone is taking a pay cut. And even if they were, Jackson would have a hellish undertaking on his hands between now and then. He somehow has to keep the Knicks competitive for two seasons without offering or trading for any long-term contracts. Talk about ridiculous upkeep.
Remember, though, this is why Jackson is in New York: to chase big names. He’s supposed to have the appeal superstar free agents want, so even if what Berman says isn’t gospel, it’s definitely in the back of everyone’s minds. As is LeBron’s potential free-agency endeavors in 2015. People are curious. I’m curious. It happens.
Let’s see if a legitimate push for LeBron or Durant is ever one of the things that happens too.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com
