Kevin Durant is expected to be on the move to a fifth franchise this offseason as the Phoenix Suns look to get underneath the second apron of the luxury tax. The 2013-14 MVP has found himself linked to several teams, with the New York Knicks often mentioned as a landing spot.
While the Knicks are coming off of their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 1999-00, they fell short of their ultimate goal. They have subsequently moved on from head coach Tom Thibodeau and could be in the market to add another star player this summer.
An NBA insider recently revealed that New York attempted to acquire Durant ahead of the trade deadline.
"On Kevin Durant, I will say this, there was some mutual interest between Kevin Durant and the Knicks at the trade deadline," ESPN's Shams Charania reported Thursday. "The Knicks made an offer for Kevin Durant at the NBA trade deadline. Obviously, there was no Kevin Durant trade. We'll see what happens in the next couple of weeks."
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The package offered to Phoenix was later shared by an NBA reporter.
"A legal framework in-season for the Knicks and Suns on a Kevin Durant trade likely would have featured OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson," Forbes' Evan Sidery reported Thursday. "Anunoby, Robinson, plus a veteran’s minimum contract worked for both sides: Durant = $51.1 million Anunoby + Robinson = $50.9 million"
It is unclear if the Knicks would remain open to moving Anunoby after he played a key role on both ends in the postseason. While rumors suggested that New York could build a package centered around Karl-Anthony Towns, the Suns reportedly have no interest in the five-time All-Star.
One thing that does remain clear is that the Knicks will likely be involved in the Durant sweepstakes this summer. The superstar forward averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 52.7% from the field, 43.0% from three-point range and 83.9% from the free-throw line in 2024-25.
More NBA: Suns reportedly have no interest in Knicks star in potential Kevin Durant trade