Dec 14, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) controls the ball against Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Knicks fans should be rooting for Kevin Durant to be traded out of Atlantic Division
In typical Kevin Durant fashion, it was reported before the start of free agency last Thursday that the 33-year-old forward had requested a trade. That was the first victory for New York Knicks fans that evening, with the news of Jalen Brunson agreeing to a four-year, $104 million contract coming a few hours later.
There hasn’t been much said about Durant’s future, but the Brooklyn Nets hold all of the leverage. KD signed a four-year, $194 million extension with the Nets last summer that’s set to kick in this fall. Brooklyn’s reportedly in no rush to make a trade, which will result in a slew of young players and future picks if Durant leaves.
The Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat are the two teams that are reportedly at the top of KD’s ‘wishlist’, but that isn’t a guideline that Brooklyn needs to abide by. However, the most recent chatter has surrounded the Toronto Raptors, who have the assets to land Durant in Canada.
It’d be best for the Knicks if Kevin Durant were traded out of the Eastern Conference
KD (and Kyrie Irving) passed on the Knicks three summers ago in favor of the Nets. Now, the hope should be that the 12-time All-Star makes his way out of the Atlantic Division, and hopefully out of the Eastern Conference altogether.
Brooklyn fans seem to be desperately rasping to the belief that the Nets’ flurry of free agent wing signings means that Durant is going to stay, so it’d be even more hilarious to see a trade happen. But let’s root for KD to not go to the Raptors, Sixers, or Celtics, please.
If he were to be traded today, it’d likely be to Toronto, but there’s no rush. With NBA Summer League taking place this week, GMs are going to be in one place, which could help to facilitate a trade as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said.
There’s also the chance that Durant’s going to stay in Brooklyn if the front office is unable to agree to a suitable deal. And if that were to happen, Nets fans would rejoice, but that organization isn’t currently constructed to have a championship season.
The West would get stronger upon KD’s possible return. Regardless of how you feel about him, you can’t deny that he’s one of the best players of all time. The less that the Knicks have to worry about going up against him, the better.
