On Thursday, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania revealed that the Knicks made an offer for Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant before the deadline. Charania reported after the deadline that New York was one of the teams with "mutual interest" in KD, but it changes things knowing that the Knicks put forth an offer.
New York's season ended with a Game 6 loss in the Eastern Conference finals, the farthest the team had advanced in 25 years. One would assume that the Knicks wouldn't be considering a roster shake-up this summer after their deep playoff run, but Tuesday's news changed that. Charania was the first to report that New York parted ways with Tom Thibodeau.
The Knicks could be in for another summer of change. Phoenix will trade Durant this offseason, preferably before the draft, and maybe New York will be tempted to make another offer. It could result in the Knicks offering Karl-Anthony Towns, giving the Suns another star to pair alongside Devin Booker.
Knicks made Suns an offer for Kevin Durant before the deadline
SNY's Ian Begley, who is plugged in with the Knicks organization, recently wrote that he thinks New York trading for Durant this offseason is "unlikely." However, given the unpredictability of the NBA, that doesn't mean a trade won't happen. The Knicks were interested enough before the deadline to make an offer.
Durant had a chance to sign with New York in 2019 free agency. It's what most people believed would happen, but KD and Kyrie Irving teamed up to sign with Brooklyn instead. The Knicks ultimately got the last laugh, with the Nets' superteam failing to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals before James Harden forced his way out.
Six years later, why wouldn't Durant want to be traded to New York? The organization is in a completely different position than it was when he was mulling over his free agency decision. He'd have an opportunity to win another title before retiring, with the Knicks positioned as a top team in a weakened Eastern Conference.
Acquiring Towns wouldn't propel the Suns into the title conversation, but he'd give Phoenix the established star it needs to stay relevant. He's coming off an All-NBA, All-Star first season in New York. KAT is the best shooting big in the league, but his defensive struggles are worrisome. The Suns want to win a title with Booker, an impossible task. Adding Towns to the mix, in theory, looks promising, but it wouldn't be the answer Phoenix is seeking. That answer doesn't exist, though.
The next few weeks should bring answers to Suns fans about where Durant will go and what Phoenix will get in return.