In 2016, every team in the league will be ready to make a move on Kevin Durant. Regardless of what he says, the reigning MVP will be a free agent with the opportunity to head elsewhere. No one knows what Durant is planning on doing, but they are planning on preparing to make a move just in case. As Durant prepares to sit out for the remainder of the season, he is giving hints at his mind set with one year remaining on his contract.
Durant continues to stress his love for Oklahoma City Thunder and desire to remain with the franchise. He is staying for straight and narrow with the media, trying to eliminate a lot of the chatter, but no matter what everyone will speculate he has one foot out the door.
"I love it here, man. I love my teammates, I love the city, I don't really think about anywhere else," Durant said, via Revolt TV. "I hear it all the time, don't get me wrong, and once you hear it you're kind of like [looks up, thinking]. But for me, I love staying in the moment, and I'm one of those guys that would love to stick it out with one team my whole career. Kobe [Bryant], Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki type. That's awesome. But you never know what the future holds sometimes and how teams may feel about you after a while, but I love it here and I would love to get my jersey retired here."
Durant did not give a guarantee about his return to Oklahoma. He did say thing like "you never know" which is why the media will continue their speculation and several teams will prepare their sales pitch. The New York Knicks will be one of them. With money to burn, the Knicks are trying to build around Carmelo Anthony for the future. That could include players like Rajon Rondo, Greg Monroe or Durant.
According to the New York Post, the Knicks will be cautious given Durant's injury history this year, but the team will target him regardless. A trade is out of the picture considering New York cannot give up draft picks they do not have, but the second Durant hits the market, they will be calling.
