Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony (Photo : Getty Images)
The New York Knicks could be the dark horse to win the Kevin Durant sweepstakes, which is set for a full blast once free agency hits.
The Knicks have been added to the list of teams Durant considers to meet once free agency starts in July.
Sam Amick of USA Today listed the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, OKC Thunder, LA Clippers, Miami Heat and Boston Celtics as those who are in Durant's shortlist of teams he would meet next month. But according to Amick, the Knicks have gotten the attention of Durant following New York's blockbuster trade that acquired them ex-Chicago Bulls star point guard Derrick Rose.
"The New York Knicks have earned their way onto Durant's radar, having traded for Derrick Rose recently to create quite the combination with Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis," Amick wrote.
Adding Rose, if healthy, answers the Knicks need of a reliable point guard, who could maximize Porzingis' talent and give Anthony a scoring backcourt partner. But acquiring Durant give the Knicks a formidable team that can be an instant title contender.
Brian Lewis of the New York Post reported that Anthony may have presumably attempted to recruit Durant, when the two NBA stars had dinner last week and the four-time scoring MVP making several appearances in Manhattan.
There is no telling whether Anthony really tried to persuade Durant in forming a New York super team that could rival powerhouses in the West and any LeBron James-led squad. But it could be a part of their conversation with Durant and Anthony not having any NBA rings to relish yet.
However, the prediction from many around the league is that Durant would likely re-sign with the Thunder for a short-term deal that will give him a chance to join close buddy Russell Westbrook in 2017's free agency. And if Durant wants a championship badly, the logical option for him is to join either the Warriors or Spurs.
It would be interesting to see how Durant's free agency drama unfolds come July, when teams start to go crazy in recruiting him. But if the bright lights of New York and the potential to dominate the Eastern Conference leading to an NBA Finals trip prove too enticing for Durant, it would behoove the Knicks to go all out in luring the Thunder star.
