Every NBA season brings surprises, but some stories grab attention more than others—especially when they involve a player like Kevin Durant. For years, Durant has been one of the most talented scorers in basketball, a 15-time All-Star, a two-time NBA champion, and a future Hall of Famer. So, when word spread that the New York Knicks might be looking to trade for him, the basketball world paused.
At first, it sounded like just another rumor. But as reports piled up and insiders dropped hints, the possibility started to feel real. Now, fans, analysts, and team executives are all wondering the same thing: could the Knicks actually pull this off? And, more importantly, should they?
Let’s break it all down, look at the facts, explore the trade options, and talk about what this could really mean for the Knicks and the NBA as a whole.
Key Takeaways
- Kevin Durant could be traded to the Knicks this offseason, with rumors linking him to New York alongside other interested teams like the Warriors and Timberwolves.
- The potential trade would involve major assets, possibly including Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, or Mikal Bridges, depending on how the deal is structured.
- The Knicks are exploring options to improve their playoff performance, and while Durant may not be a perfect fit, his scoring and experience could give the team a championship boost.
Setting the Stage: What Sparked the Trade Talk?
Kevin Durant, one of the most talented and well-known players in NBA history, is currently with the Phoenix Suns. But the Suns have been a big letdown this season. Even though they have a strong roster with Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, they are sitting at 35 wins and 41 losses—fighting just to get into the play-in tournament in the Western Conference. They are currently 1.5 games behind the Sacramento Kings for that final spot.
Given Durant’s age (36 years old) and his contract, which ends after the 2025-2026 season, it would make sense for the Suns to at least think about trading him. They could reset their team and build around younger players while Durant still has high value.
This brings us to the New York Knicks.
According to NBA insider Shams Charania, who spoke on The Pat McAfee Show, the Knicks were one of several teams that showed interest in Durant before the trade deadline in February. Other teams involved in those talks included the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, and Houston Rockets.
While the Warriors got a lot of attention because Durant played there before and won two championships with them, Durant was reportedly not interested in returning to Golden State. So, they moved on and made a trade for Jimmy Butler instead—and they’ve been playing great basketball since then.
Why the Knicks? Why Now?
Now, let’s look at why the Knicks are being talked about so much in this situation. As of now, they are 4th in the Eastern Conference with a strong record of 46-27. And there’s no denying they’ve come a long way and are no longer just trying to make the playoffs. They want to go far—and maybe even win it all.
The team is built around All-Star guard Jalen Brunson and big man Karl-Anthony Towns. They also have a strong group of supporting players like OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart, who play tough defense and do the little things that help teams win.
So, where does Durant fit in?
Here’s the thing: even though the Knicks are doing well, they’re still not perfect. They’ve had trouble scoring in the half-court offense. In fact, during a recent stretch when Brunson was out with an ankle injury, the Knicks ranked only 19th in half-court scoring efficiency. Players like Anunoby and Bridges did step up, but the team still looked like it needed a reliable second-scoring option.
This is where Durant could help. Even though he’s getting older, he’s still one of the best scorers in the league. Adding him could give the Knicks a huge boost on offense.
However, there’s a big problem—and that’s the cost.
How Would a Durant Trade Work?
NBA writer Dan Favale from Bleacher Report explained how a trade might happen, and it’s not simple. First off, the Knicks would probably have to move on from Karl-Anthony Towns. That’s not easy, especially since the team just brought him in. But if New York wants Durant, and if Phoenix or another team wants Towns, a three-team deal could make things work.
But even then, it’s not as easy as just trading Towns and getting Durant in return.
The Knicks have already said they won’t trade Jalen Brunson. That’s smart—he’s the heart of the team. They also don’t want to give up OG Anunoby, especially if they keep Towns. And sending away Mikal Bridges after they gave up a lot to get him wouldn’t look good either, especially for a player as old as Durant.
So the question becomes: do the Knicks want Durant badly enough to risk breaking up the chemistry they’ve worked hard to build?
Another point to think about is health. If the Knicks trade Towns for Durant, they will rely heavily only on Mitchell Robinson to handle defense in the paint. But Robinson has a history of injuries. Can they trust him to stay healthy during a playoff run? Well, if they can’t, they might also need to trade for another reliable big man—making the whole plan even more complicated.
What If the Knicks Don’t Get Durant?
Even if Durant doesn’t come to New York, the Knicks still have options to improve the team. They have several trade targets in mind for the 2025 offseason, which include players who can help on defense, add scoring, or bring more size to the frontcourt.
Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz is one of them. Kessler is 7 feet tall and averages 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. He shoots 66.7% from the field and would be a strong defensive piece next to Brunson. The Knicks would probably have to give up Miles McBride and some future picks to get him.
Another name is Cam Thomas from the Brooklyn Nets. He’s a scorer, averaging 24.0 points per game before a hamstring injury ended his season. A sign-and-trade deal could work, with the Knicks sending Josh Hart, McBride, and a pick to Brooklyn. However, Thomas’s injury and expected $20 million salary make this a risky move.
The Knicks are also eyeing Cameron Johnson, who’s scoring 18.8 points per game and shooting 39.2% from three-point range. He’d be a strong fit to space the floor. Johnson’s contract runs through 2026-27, and the trade could involve Hart and a future first-round pick.
There’s also Robert Williams III from the Portland Trail Blazers. Though he played only 20 games this season due to injuries, he still averaged 5.8 points and 5.9 rebounds. He could be a strong rim protector if healthy.
Another possible deal could be for Jerami Grant, also with Portland. Grant isn’t having his best season—he’s averaging 14.4 points and 3.5 rebounds—but he can play multiple positions. His contract is expensive, with over $36 million due in the final season. The trade might involve Bridges and Mitchell Robinson.
Other options include Isaiah Stewart from the Pistons and Jonas Valanciunas from the Kings. Stewart brings energy and defense but has had disciplinary problems. Valanciunas is a veteran center who’s averaging 10.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. Thus, he could well be useful, but he’s turning 33 soon, so it depends on the Knicks’ long-term plans.
What Does This All Mean?
Trading for Durant would be risky—he’s older, expensive, and not the perfect fit. But he’s still Kevin Durant. If the Knicks believe that adding him gives them their best shot at winning now, they might take the risk.
If they don’t, they still have smart backup plans. With trade pieces, draft picks, and a motivated front office, they’re in a position to make a big move, one way or another.
As strange as this all might sound, we’ve seen bigger surprises in the NBA. A few things need to line up, and the right deal has to come along—but this kind of conversation shows how far the Knicks have come. They’re not dreaming anymore. They’re planning. And if things break the right way, they could finally bring a championship back to New York.
