Knicks · Report: Kevin Durant considering Knicks, being recruited by Carmelo Anthony (page 1)

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Report: Kevin Durant considering Knicks, being recruited by Carmelo Anthony

When Carmelo Anthony was a free agent last summer, Kevin Durant recruited him to the Knicks.

Durant reportedly pitched Melo on the virtues of New York coach Derek Fisher, who was previously Durant’s teammate with the Thunder.

Now, Melo – who re-signed with the Knicks – is reportedly returning the favor.

Stephen A. Smith of ESPN:

I know for a fact that Carmelo Anthony has been and will continue to recruit Kevin Durant until the cows come home. I’m also hearing that Kevin Durant is giving the New York Knicks consideration.

For what it’s worth, Melo strongly denied Smith’s last major report about him, that the star forward was upset about the Knicks drafting Kristaps Porzingis. That doesn’t mean Smith was wrong, but it’s something.

To the matter at hand, I believe Durant is considering the Knicks. I also believe he’s considering the Thunder and Wizards and…

I doubt Durant has made up his mind about 2016 free agency. Why would he this soon?

But outside Oklahoma City and Washington – the two major favorites for Durant – New York would be my pick to land him. That’s still a small chance, though.

First, the Knicks must prove they have a legitimate chance of winning. I believe the New York market still appeals to players, maybe including Durant. But that’s not enough. Seventeen wins in Phil Jackson’s first full season – especially when he appeared to be targeting a playoff berth – is concerning.

The Knicks should be better this year, though. Melo will likely be healthier, and the roster has improved around him. Free agent center Robin Lopez is a significant upgrade.

Respectability on the court won’t be enough, though. New York also needs to clear cap room.

The Knicks have $67,964,567 committed to eight players. With roster charges, that puts New York $18,861,549 below the projected salary cap of $89 million.

Durant’s starting salary projects to be $25,136,700.

Player options for Arron Afflalo ($8 million) and/or Derrick Williams ($4,598,000) could clear more room. If Durant wants to come, the Knicks would surely do what it takes to dump Jose Calderon ($7,708,427), Kyle O’Quinn ($3,918,750) and/or Jerian Grant ( $1,643,040). The salary cap could also land higher than projected, though that would also raise Durant’s max salary.

Clearing cap space is an obstacle, not impossible.

New York’s market can open the door for free agents considering the Knicks. Durant’s fondness for Fisher only helps, and Melo’s recruiting could help lay the groundwork. But it ultimately falls on Jackson – the team he assembled this season boosting New York’s credibility and his ability to clear cap space and sell Durant on his vision for the Knicks.

Porzingis/Melo/Durant, the greatest frontcourt of all time. How many championships are we are going to get?

KEEPCAMBYNY wrote:Porzingis/Melo/Durant, the greatest frontcourt of all time. How many championships are we are going to get?

That is a real question...

If Durant did come here, what will happen to Kristaps? He could come off the bench, because you would need Melo and Durant at the 3/4 spots.

It would make the Knicks tough to defend any way you look at it.

You would have two guys that are virtually unstoppable in a 1:1 situation but teams would have a really tough time double teaming either of them.

KEEPCAMBYNY wrote:Porzingis/Melo/Durant, the greatest frontcourt of all time. How many championships are we are going to get?

Really? Because San Antonio started Duncan and David Robinson next to each other. The Knicks started Willis Reed, Debusschere, and Bradley. The Celtics started Robert Paris, Bird, and McHale. And that's just off the top of my head.

i was interested until I saw the article was from SAS...... I doubt its anything more than rumor mongering

VCoug wrote:

KEEPCAMBYNY wrote:Porzingis/Melo/Durant, the greatest frontcourt of all time. How many championships are we are going to get?

Really? Because San Antonio started Duncan and David Robinson next to each other. The Knicks started Willis Reed, Debusschere, and Bradley. The Celtics started Robert Paris, Bird, and McHale. And that's just off the top of my head.

Yes, that possible trio would have a chance to be just as good or maybe even better than those frontcourts. It comes down to how Porzingis develops of course, but if he becomes the player that we think he can become then yes they have a chance. Still trying to figure out what gameplan you even come up with to guard 3 guys that can all shoot from anywhere on the court and one of those guys is 7'3 center that will pull your big man away from the basket, giving Melo and Durant the chance to operate. I think in the triangle, those guys would kill it.

Add Kobe to the mix too....

I think Kobe would come for the room exemption if the Knicks got Durant. Kobe would be a shell, but so was Ray Allen in Miami.

It's insane and I hate SAS for starting this bullshit, but it could actually happen.

Melo, durant, Kristaps, grant, kobe... Robin, O'Quinn maybe Afflalo and others

CrushAlot wrote:You would have two guys that are virtually unstoppable in a 1:1 situation but teams would have a really tough time double teaming either of them.

yeah that'd be great.. two guys taking turns going one on one. after all that's how you win.

CrushAlot wrote:You would have two guys that are virtually unstoppable in a 1:1 situation but teams would have a really tough time double teaming either of them.

Which would mean Zinger would have to play center and either one of Durant or Melo would have to play SF. Most likely Melo since Durant would play where he wanted and he's no longer truly suited to be a SF ( if he ever was)

Did Durant seem the most effective next to a ball dominant gunner? Because both he and Westbrook seemed better suited away from each other. Why would that change in NY?

Capped out team, problems on defense, serious depth problems. If the Knicks had been diligent, year after year in working hard to keeping and developing their own draft picks, maybe they'd be in a position to take in a superstar as a "last piece" to the puzzle. But with the likely roster next year, with no first round pick?

Is it likely one of the best players in the league will take less money to do more losing than winning compared to his last team with a city he has no real ties with?

If Westbrook and Durant don't work, how the hell would Melo and Durant work? It wouldn't.

dk7th wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:You would have two guys that are virtually unstoppable in a 1:1 situation but teams would have a really tough time double teaming either of them.

yeah that'd be great.. two guys taking turns going one on one. after all that's how you win.

This sarcasm is going over so many people's head its hilarious.

Wait a minute! Wasn't the criticism that Melo needs to play more like Olympic Melo by being less ball dominant and being more catch/shoot kind of player? So now you can add a guy who has the talent that will allow Melo to finally play the way you guys always complained about him playing, and you're still not happy? Melo doesn't need to dominate the ball to be effective, he has had to dominate the ball with this team in the past because we had scrubs on this team that couldn't shoot or score so he had no choice if he wanted to win. I think adding Durant would actually extend his career a bit since he would have an easier time scoring, especially as Kris develops, and Melo slides down to option #3.

Allanfan20 wrote:If Westbrook and Durant don't work, how the hell would Melo and Durant work? It wouldn't.

Let me preface this by saying I don't want Durant..But Westbrook Durant didn't work because of the coach..Deep in the playoffs OKC just came up court and ran one on one plays..Billy Donovan will be a much better coach for them...

wargames wrote:

dk7th wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:You would have two guys that are virtually unstoppable in a 1:1 situation but teams would have a really tough time double teaming either of them.

yeah that'd be great.. two guys taking turns going one on one. after all that's how you win.

This sarcasm is going over so many people's head its hilarious.

it'd be different if melo somehow developed a genuine passing/playmaking game in traffic like durant has been working hard on the last couple of seasons. i remember van gundy observing that that would be durant's next step. to his credit he has incorporated that into his game, and i imagine will continue to improve. i mean just look at his raw assist numbers and his usage to assist rate ratio. he's fantastic... and yet unless melo also improves his passing game it would be a recipe for underachievement. then again, if kristaps exploded as a premier passing big man then that would relegate melo to a third option in the triangle and that could actually work. at 31-34 years old it would be a good situation for melo.

actually its an incredible versatile and fluid line up
C KP
PF Melo
SF Durant
SG Galloway
PG Grant
Bench: Ropez, OQuinn, need a good 3rd guard or starting SG and Galloway comes off the bench

Thing is Lopez/OQuin are centers with OQ playing some 4. However KP/Melo/Durant can all slide between 3/4 in various line ups so its a nightmare to defend.

Or you start Lopez and bring KP off the bench for him or KD or Melo... lots of options and most (on paper) seem to look pretty good

Gumby will take his talents to DC. The rest is just smoke screens. Plus, Durant + Melo is not a good pairing for the sort of team ball approach Jackson wants to be realized in the Garden.

I hope not too many get their hopes up again. I mean we heard the same thing with lebron, chris paul, and even greg monroe who most people pretty much guaranteed he Would come to NY. Also melo hasnt exactly been a proven recruiter except for maybe afflalo

StarksEwing1 wrote:I hope not too many get their hopes up again. I mean we heard the same thing with lebron, chris paul, and even greg monroe who most people pretty much guaranteed he Would come to NY. Also melo hasnt exactly been a proven recruiter except for maybe afflalo

Prior to this offseason he has been recruiting with vet mini deals and the mid level exception. Not sure what you expected him to pull off with no money available to spend. This offseason it sounded like his presence at least garnered consideration from Aldridge.

CrushAlot wrote:

StarksEwing1 wrote:I hope not too many get their hopes up again. I mean we heard the same thing with lebron, chris paul, and even greg monroe who most people pretty much guaranteed he Would come to NY. Also melo hasnt exactly been a proven recruiter except for maybe afflalo

Prior to this offseason he has been recruiting with vet mini deals and the mid level exception. Not sure what you expected him to pull off with no money available to spend. This offseason it sounded like his presence at least garnered consideration from Aldridge.

Idk, if a player really wants to play with another, they let it be known, and salaries can come off the books one way or another. I knew the "no money" angle would be brought up, but even WITH money they still didnt come.