The New York Knicks could be on the verge of another massive decision in the coming days.
New York already made one in the form of firing head coach Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday after a successful five-year run.
Now, the Knicks front office will have to choose how to re-tool (or not re-tool) a roster that just came within six wins of the franchise’s first NBA championship since 1973.
Jalen Brunson seems like the only untouchable player on New York’s roster these days.
Karl-Anthony Towns, on the other hand, is being floated in a million-and-one trade proposals.
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On Wednesday, FOX Sports’ Nick Wright took his turn on his Wright Way podcast.
“I do think if you (offered) KAT for (Kevin) Durant … the (Phoenix) Suns would say yes,” Wright said.
“The argument for it would be twofold. One is, it is a backdoor out of what is going to be a really tricky KAT contract situation. Because KAT got three years left at $53 (million), $57 (million), $61 (million). But the other reason you would do it is if you think Mitchell Robinson can play 30 minutes a game, and you think Durant would just add another layer to your offense, and here's the critical piece, you think next year has massive additional value compared to other, future years because of the Celtics situation, I might do it,” Wright continued.
“Karl-Anthony Towns turns 30 at the beginning of next season. KD turns 37 at the beginning of next season. So that typically is not a move you want to make, but I guess here’s how I would look at it: If they made that trade, I think for next year, I'd say the Knicks are the favorites in the East.”
Durant on the Knicks for a possible one-year rental is certainly an enticing vision.
Assuming the Knicks could acquire another center as insurance against Robinson’s health, a Brunson-KD pairing would likely work better than the deeply flawed Brunson-KAT duo.
Even at 37 years old, Durant is a better player than Towns. The trick would be convincing Phoenix to do this deal when it’ll be faced with superior offers for Durant.
If KD specifically requested a deal to the Knicks, that could shift things in New York’s favor, but there’s no indication that that’s going to happen.
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