On Wednesday, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant and his agent, Rich Kleiman, are "sifting through trade scenarios." Charania listed the Knicks as one of the teams that have expressed interest in Durant, but local New York reporters have said that the team doesn't want Durant.
SNY's Ian Begley previously said that he'd be shocked if the Knicks trade for Durant. Stefan Bondy of the New York Post and Steve Popper of Newsday also reported that the Knicks aren't one of the teams in the running for KD.
BTW, while the coaching search is on - hearing from a league source that despite reports -- and his all-time greatness -- Knicks are not one of teams in on Durant.
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) June 11, 2025
If New York traded for the star forward, Karl-Anthony Towns would all but have to be part of the package. Because the Knicks reportedly don't want KD, that means the Suns won't have a chance to acquire an All-Star talent like KAT in return. Phoenix doesn't want to rebuild, so Towns fits the path the Suns want to take. There is already chemistry between KAT and Devin Booker, as they played together at Kentucky. One can assume that Booker would "sign off" on the trade.
Knicks reportedly not interested in Kevin Durant trade
New York never seemed like the likeliest landing spot for Durant, especially after the team's recent run to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks made two mega trades last offseason, one for Towns and the other for Mikal Bridges. The Luka Doncic trade proved that anything can happen in the NBA, and anyone can be traded at any given moment, but it would be shocking if New York acquired Durant.
Does that mean the Knicks won't land KD? No. Nobody thought they'd fire Tom Thibodeau, but look at what happened. New York is unpredictable. Until the trade is official, speculation about the Knicks will continue.
It'd benefit the Suns if the Knicks were in the running. Teams like the Spurs and Rockets, which possess valuable draft assets, have also been linked to Durant, but they lack an established player like Towns that they'd give up in a trade. There are concerns about KAT, such as his shortcomings on the defensive end, but acquiring him in return for KD would be the best possible scenario for Phoenix.
The next couple of weeks will be telling, as the countdown to the draft is on. The Suns want to trade Durant before then, meaning things will likely heat up quickly. Phoenix doesn't hold leverage in a trade due to KD's contract situation, but hopefully, the Suns will land a quality return.