In 2016, the big free agency prize will be Kevin Durant. The former MVP will be available for the taking and every team in the league is preparing to lineup and throw money at him. While a return to the Oklahoma City Thunder should not be ruled out, Durant is expected to explore the market and the New York Knicks will be ready and waiting to try and get the star.
By all accounts, the Knicks' offseason was disappointing. Team president Phil Jackson was forced to go to Plan C and grab Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo and Derrick Williams after missing on Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Monroe to name a few. However, did those deals better set up the Knicks to grab Durant? After using up $27 million for four players, the Knicks have the flexibility to chase Durant.
According to Bradford Doolittle of ESPN NBA Insider, the Knicks have the money and glitz of the Big Apple to chase Durant. The issue is whether or not they have the ideal roster to make it work. Both Afflalo and Williams are signed to two-year deals with player options. They will be aiming to capitalize when the salary caps increase and no one would be shocked if they departed. The Knicks have Carmelo Anthony, but his star power might not be as bright as the Knicks are hoping since neither Aldridge nor Monroe wanted to play with him. They lack a true elite point guard and Lopez is not the top center to draw in players.
Competition for Durant will be high. According to the Sacramento Bee, the Golden State Warriors will dangle a sign-and-trade deal that could involve Klay Thompson. The Dallas Mavericks believe they are a frontrunner. The Los Angeles Lakers will be waiting for a meeting. The Miami Herald reported the Heat plan to chase the star. The Knicks might have the money, but this offseason proved that is not enough to pull in the big names.
For now, the Knicks have roster spots to fill, but little money to do so. Bleacher Report lists both Josh Smith and JaVale McGee as potential free agency options for the Knicks. The team will get their first look at both Kristaps Porzingis and Jerian Grant when both begin summer league play. That will allow Jackson to better evaluate where the roster is at.
