Kobe Bryant (L) and Kevin Durant. (Photo : Getty Images)
The rumors about free agency continue to swirl. While free agents from eliminated teams should already be making their plans, some talks are premature.
The foremost example is Kevin Durant. The former Most Valuable Player is right in the middle of a title quest for his Oklahoma City Thunder and he has rightfully declared that he is not thinking about his future.
However, that does not stop the media from continuously speculating about his plans. Durant himself admitted that, and being the biggest fish in the pond, all eyes are on him.
One team that should consider other options is the New York Knicks, as their own publication, the NY Daily News via Stefan Bondy declared that Durant is not even considering them.
"A source told The News that the biggest fish in the summer pond, Kevin Durant, does not consider the Knicks as a destination."
Bondy has not named his sources, but this is one report that categorically eliminates a team. The coverage of the Durant free agency has swing back and forth. There were talks that Durant desperately wants to win now, and he would be ready to take a backseat and join the Golden State Warriors.
Then, there was the claim that Durant would leave the Thunder if they failed to reach the Finals at least, which would make Durant seek "his own team."
While there has been no report of friction between Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, it's clear that there has been some talk about Westbrook starting to become the alpha dog. Though, if you ask both players, they would rather have each other than carry the team alone.
Amid these back and forth talks, the LA Lakers have also been named as a "priority" for Durant but they have also been swept aside (though the words were not as definitive) when the talk shifts to Durant's title hopes.
The Lakers have clear advantages over the Knicks, as detailed in this Basketball Insiders piece, the salary cap space and a trio of young, talented players keep the possibility open.
For the Knicks, Durant is not the first player who is reportedly not considering them. Rajon Rondo has aired his misgivings about the triangle offense and has mentioned that he would rather play elsewhere.
