Now that the Oklahoma City Thunder have choked up their 3-1 series lead, reports are surfacing the New York Knicks will pursue Kevin Durant.
A little over a week ago, it was all locked up.With the Oklahoma City Thunder shocking the world en route to a 3-1 Western Conference Series lead over the 73-win Golden State Warriors, free agent to be Kevin Durant‘s situation was becoming more crystallized. He was headed nowhere.
How could he after shocking the world with running-mate Russell Westbrook and rookie head coach Billy Donovan? Knocking off the MVP and routing LeBron James and company in the NBA Finals would all but assure KD’s impending return.
But alas, Stephen Curry and the Dubs won three straight. With that, the Durant speculation begins. Allow the dreamers to pounce on the scene.
Enter Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks. According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, the Knicks are, indeed, expected to pursue Durant this summer. And although Marc Stein of ESPN has reported Durant is likely to sign a one or two year max deal with OKC, the fact that he’s a free agent should have any Knickerbockers fan dreaming.
Anytime the prospect of teaming up KD with Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis is presented, serious consideration and conversation must follow.
Although, this doesn’t mean the conversation should be purely positive.
Here are a few reasons Durant to the Big Apple is a scary proposition:
Does KD Fit The Roster, Personnel?
The NBA is a superstar league. It’s always been this way and will always continue on as such. This means when the opportunity arises in which a superstar can be acquired, an Association general manager will usually pounce.
Having said that, there are cases of bad fits. Look no further than the Knicks.
Amar’e Stoudemire was enjoying a terrific 2010-11 season in his first go-around in the Big Apple. He and Raymond Felton found something pretty special with the pick-n-roll and the high-post. Then, Melodrama ensued and a chunk of the roster was sacrificed for the “Coming Home” marketing campaign.
While nobody will claim it was a bad move, Melo and Stoudemire never fit on the same court together.
Could this be the same as it relates to Durant and Anthony?
Both are volume shooters. Durant averaged 19.2 shots per game this past season. This was good enough for fifth in the NBA. Melo averaged 18.2 which was good enough for eighth in the league. That would mean two of the top 10 in the NBA would be placed on the same roster.
While we definitely saw Anthony take a giant leap forward in terms of team play and an increased “court vision willingness,” if these two played on the same squad even more concessions would have to be made. Russell Westbrook finished ninth in the league in shots attempted, but because he creates so many opportunities for teammates, it’s less of a sin in teaming that volume with KD.
Furthermore, this volume could potentially hurt the development of young Porzingis. Where and when will the opportunities come for KP?
The biggest issue, though, comes when understanding the Knicks would be completely reliant on their front-court. Porzingis would be forced to play center and Melo or Durant would share the forward spots. This leaves very little versatility by way of lineup options.
Especially in a point guard/perimeter driven league, this could and should be of major concern.
KD’s Already 27 With Injury Concerns
Carmelo Anthony played just 40 games two seasons ago. Now a year older at 32, his overall conditioning and body wellness will forever be a major headline.
Kevin Durant participated in just 27 games two seasons ago. KD, who’s already 27 years old, already has a Jones stress fracture under his belt. For those who are unaware, or who’ve already forgot, this was the injury that all but wiped out Durant’s 2014-15 campaign.
While many experts dismiss the possibility of the issue hindering him long-term, the idea of a completely spry Durant past 30 years of age is one that could easily be questioned.
Any issues Durant may have on top of a hobbled Melo would equal a downright disaster in a couple of years. If Durant comes to The Mecca, he’s coming on a long-term, max deal. The back-end of that deal would be extremely worrisome.
It’s A Point Guard League, Spend Max Money On A PG
When watching what transpired in Games 5, 6 and 7 of the Western Conference Finals, it was obvious that Kevin Durant left the moment of lifetime out there on that court.
Having everything right where he wanted it in Game 6, KD had a chance to display that killer instinct and put the Dubs out of their 73-win misery.
He failed.
What’s more is it looked like Russell Westbrook was the true assassin on the squad. It was Westbrook who was flying all over the court, diving for loose balls like a mad man. It was Westbrook who displayed that killer instinct Durant was supposed to showcase during his supposed “finest hour.”
This little intro brings us to the main point: The NBA is a point guard driven league.
With Kristaps Porzingis and Carmelo Anthony already in tow, New York is just one serious point guard away from contention. Of course the surrounding pieces would be necessary, but when it comes to the three main cogs, KP, Melo and a nasty point guard would all be in the fold.
Many triangle purists stay true to the idea that this particular offense doesn’t need a point guard to run successful.
That’s simply trash.
A triangle offense doesn’t need a phenomenal point guard if a guy like Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant are isolating it up. A squad doesn’t need a terrific point guard if a point-forward like Scottie Pippen or Lamar Odom are doing their sharing thing.
When it comes to this fast-paced, three-point crazed, transitional NBA, however, every team needs a good point guard. That is, unless, LeBron James is on your squad; though the presence of Kyrie Irving makes it a moot point.
Jax and company would be much better served if they used up a max deal on a point guard, not another front-court player. Durant is cool if Melo is gone, but that’s not happening.
Gauging Durant’s interest is mandatory. Getting your whistle wet in relation to any free agent superstar is a prerequisite for every NBA GM.
In the end, though, going hard after a point guard in Durant’s stead will work magic. It’ll maintain roster flexibility, allow Porzingis to develop more rapidly, and keep volume shooting to a minimum.
In Durant’s case, the pieces of the puzzle need to stay on the forefront instead of being in the back of Phil’s head.