Kevin Durant and Kristaps Porzingis (Photo : Getty Images)
New York Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis could be the key for the Big Apple to land OKC Thunder star Kevin Durant.
According to Damon Salvadore of the New York Daily News, Porzingis could be a major factor in luring Durant to sign with the Knicks this offseason, with the team hoping to land one of the most coveted players in this year's free agency class.
"Porzingis gives the Knicks hope for a potential Durant signing this offseason," Salvadore wrote.
The Knicks are expected to join other teams in pursuing Durant this summer in hopes to finally become contenders in the league again. With the promising talent Porzingis has showcased in his first year in the NBA, Durant could be enticed to join the Latvian center and Carmelo Anthony to run the playbooks of new coach Jeff Hornacek.
However, following the Thunder's remarkable run in the postseason, there is a growing sense Durant will remain in OKC for another year to help the franchise win its first NBA championship. The Knicks, despite having a talented roster, are not yet in the position to compete for a title.
Durant is also likely to consider winning teams like the Thunder, San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors rather than join rebuilding clubs like the Knicks. But according to ESPN's First Take commentator Skip Bayless, Durant is interested in playing for the Knicks.
"I've got a pretty good source, a couple of them, and I'm told that Kevin [Durant] is interested in NY" -@RealSkipBayless on KD's big summer
— First Take (@FirstTake) June 8, 2016
If Durant takes his talent to the Big Apple, the Knicks could form a formidable trio of Durant, Anthony and Porzingis and would likely be an attractive destination to other available free agents in the market. Such scenario would probably force the Knicks to take some cap space considerations, but it could be worth the risk for New York.
Certainly, Porzingis' potential and raw talent would not be enough to lure Durant into joining the Knicks. But the chance to form a superteam that could topple the rest of the league's powerhouses could be a tempting for Durant to play for the Knicks.
