Kevin Durant is one of the best players of the modern era of NBA basketball. Nobody can deny his greatness. Durant may be the most skilled 7-footer we’ve ever seen. With that said, he’s not without his flaws.
He’s frustrated with the Phoenix Suns. This isn’t the first time that we’ve seen this. It feels like unless things are going exactly right, Durant’s eyes start to wander. Are they wandering now?
We’re not sure. With that said, the Suns are having a disappointing season. The window for a midseason Durant window is open – even if it’s only just a crack. Could the Suns send him to the New York Knicks?
NBA Trade Proposal: New York Knicks Land Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant
Phoenix Suns Receive: G/F RJ Barrett, G/F Evan Fournier, G Immanuel Quickley, 2025 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2027 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2029 First-Round Pick (NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: F Kevin Durant
Durant isn’t only one of the best players of the modern era of NBA basketball. He’s also one of the most important players. Durant has been instrumental in the player empowerment revolution.
That’s not to say that he’s led the charge. When LeBron James “took his talents to South Beach”, the revolution got underway. With that said, Durant’s decision to join the Golden State Warriors took the movement to another level.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks Updates
We’d never seen a recent MVP join forces with another recent MVP before. Durant, Steph Curry and the Warriors would go on to win a pair of NBA titles. Durant hasn’t won a title since.
Could he accomplish that goal with the Knicks?
Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal
The Knicks will have less top-end talent than the Suns currently do. Devin Booker would be the best player on the Knicks. With that said, the Knicks would have more depth.
They’d also have a more versatile offensive roster. Julius Randle is the type of big playmaker that the Suns are missing. Meanwhile, Jalen Brunson isn’t far off from Booker. The Knicks are already a good team – imagine them after adding Durant.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks Updates
Meanwhile, it doesn’t feel like they’re going to pay Quickley this summer anyway. Barrett remains inconsistent. The Knicks are giving up a lot of draft capital, but they’re giving themselves a chance at the NBA title in the process.
Should the Suns give up on their title chance?
Why The Phoenix Suns Do The Deal
Honestly? Probably not. The Suns should probably hang onto Durant and make the best win-now trade that they can at the deadline. At the same time, let’s indulge in a thought experiment.
Where does this deal leave the Suns? They’d still have Devin Booker. Sure, they’ll have a lot of money tied up in off-guards if they extend Quickley. That’s OK – the Suns could extend him to move him at next year’s deadline.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks Updates
Alternatively, they could phase Bradley Beal out and make Booker and Quickley the backcourt of the future. Either way, with Barrett and three unprotected firsts at their disposal, the Suns will have options. They just won’t have Kevin Durant anymore.
