The New York Knicks and Kevin Durant have been long linked to a possible deal in the summer of 2016. But will the Oklahoma City Thunder consider moving to the Big Apple?
Durant, the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player, will be a free agent after the 2015-16 season and is expected to receive maximum-salary offers from other teams, including the Knicks.
The Knicks are expected to have enough salary cap room to sign Durant to a max deal in 2016. But when asked about the possibility of moving to New York, the Thunder superstar played it down and said that he is not yet thinking about his future because he is focused on their campaign this season.
"Being honest, I'm not trying to think about that right now," Durant told Newsday. "We're in a tough grind-out season and we're in the second half of the season and I don't want to [make] any distraction for my brothers in OKC. I'm laying my body on the line for them, they're laying their bodies on the line for me."
The Thunder are currently in ninth place in the Western Conference standings with their 28-25 record, and previous reports suggested that Durant will leave Oklahoma City if he fails to win a championship ring before his current contract runs out.
The Knicks are not close to becoming a title contender as well, but team president Phil Jackson is reportedly eyeing moves in the offseason to show significant improvements next season.
Durant, who is averaging 25.9 points to go along with 6.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists in injury-riddled campaign this season, also has ties in New York, having played alongside current Knicks coach Derek Fisher for three seasons in Oklahoma City.
Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony is also expected to recruit free agents to New York, but Durant said that he will not talk or seek advice from the veteran forward about his impending free agency.
"In life, it's good to get advice, don't get me wrong," Durant told NewsOK. "But some things you got to go through on your own and some things you got to experience for yourself. Our situations may be different."
Aside from the Knicks, Durant is also being linked to a possible homecoming by signing with the Washington Wizards in 2016. Wizards star point guard John Wall has openly expressed before that he will try to convince Durant to play for his hometown team.
