Five years ago, fans of the New York Knicks anticipated Kevin Durant’s signing with their team during free agency. It was seen as a move to revive the organization’s relevance. However, Durant, along with Kyrie Irving, opted to join the Brooklyn Nets instead, prompting ridicule aimed at the Knicks. But the situation has taken a different turn now.
Durant spent two-and-a-half seasons with the Nets before being traded to the Suns before the 2023 deadline. Despite having Durant, Irving, and James Harden (who was traded to the Sixers before the 2022 deadline), Brooklyn fell short of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, dampening their championship aspirations.
In exchange for Durant, Phoenix traded Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, four first-round picks, and a 2028 pick swap to Brooklyn, aiming to bolster their contention status. However, the outcome echoes a familiar narrative.
Having been with the Suns for a season and a half, Durant witnessed the team’s defeat to the Nuggets in the second round of the 2023 playoffs and is currently facing a 0-2 deficit against the Timberwolves in the 2024 playoffs.
Although Durant and Phoenix could potentially reverse their fortunes in the series, the outlook appears grim. Consequently, speculation regarding Durant’s future with the team has already begun due to their lack of success.
During FS1’s ‘The Carton Show,’ Craig Carton expressed skepticism about the Suns’ chances of staging a comeback in the series, a sentiment likely resonating with Knicks fans. Additionally, Carton cast doubt on Durant’s future with the Suns, which aligns with the apprehensions of Knicks supporters. However, where New York fans might diverge from Carton is his prediction suggesting the Knicks will trade for KD.
